The cumbiasins, structurally novel diterpenes possessing intricate carbocyclic skeletons from the West Indian sea whip Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae (Bayer)

From the hexane extract of the West Indian gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae, two diterpenes, cumbiasins A (1) and B (2), having a novel tetracyclic carbon skeleton named cumbiane, have been isolated. In addition, we have isolated cumbiasin C (3), a ring cleavage product of cumbiasin B that possesses an unusual carbocyclic framework named seco-cumbiane. The structures and relative configurations of metabolites 1-3 were elucidated by interpretation of overall spectral data, which included 2D NMR correlation methods, IR, UV, and accurate mass measurements (HREI-MS and HRFAB-MS). The carbocyclic skeletons of the cumbiasins are unprecedented and represent new classes of C20 rearranged diterpenes. Cumbiasins A and B display mild in vitro anti-tuberculosis activity.     

Daphlongeranines A and B, two novel alkaloids possessing unprecedented skeletons from Daphniphyllum longeracemosum

Two novel alkaloids, daphlongeranines A (1) and B (2), with an unprecedented ring system, were isolated from the fruits of Daphniphyllum longeracemosum. Their unique structures and relative stereochemistries were established on the basis of spectroscopic and single-crystal diffraction analysis. The proposed biosynthetic pathway was also discussed. Compounds 1 and 2 showed weak inhibition on platelet aggregation.     

Psiguadials A and B, two novel meroterpenoids with unusual skeletons from the leaves of Psidium guajava

Psiguadials A (1) and B (2), two novel sesquiterpenoid-diphenylmethane meroterpenoids with unusual skeletons, along with a pair of known epimers, psidial A (3) and guajadial (4), were isolated from the leaves of Psidium guajava. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by means of NMR, X-ray diffraction, and quantum chemical CD calculation. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the growth of human hepatoma cells.     

Ligustolide A and B, two novel sesquiterpenes with rare skeletons and three 1,10-seco-guaianolide derivatives from Achillea ligustica

Achillea ligustica afforded two novel sesquiterpene lactones with rare 5/6/5 skeletons, three 1,10-seco-guaianolides and a chlorine-containing sesquiterpene lactone as well as six known compounds, including two monoterpenes, two guaianolides, one eudesmane and one secocaryophyllene derivative. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by extensive application of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.     

Diterpenes with new isoryanodane derived skeletons from Persea indica

A phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Persea indica has permitted the isolation of two diterpenes with novel skeletons derived from isoryanodane, which have named perseaindicol and secoperseanol. A third compound, also with a new carbon framework, proved to be identical with cinncassiol E, whose structure has been now corrected.     

Synthesis and properties of novel extended BODIPYs with rigid skeletons

Novel extended BODIPYs fused with bicyclo rings were synthesized from bicyclopyrroles by combining Knoevenagel condensation, Suzuki coupling, and O-chelation. The absorption maxima of the BODIPYs ranged from the visible to near-infrared region and the compounds showed good solubility in organic solvents. The solubility of the bicycloBODIPY with 2-naphthyl groups at the α-position of the pyrrole units was particularly high. Heating converted distyrylBODIPY with bicyclo[2.2.2]octene to benzoBODIPY with absorption (748.5?nm) and fluorescence (775.0?nm) in the near-infrared region.     

Vincamajorines A and B,monoterpenoid indole alkaloids with new carbon skeletons from Vinca major

Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, vincamajorines A (1) and B (2), were isolated from Vinca major. Their structures were elucidated by means of 1D and 2D NMR, and HREIMS spectroscopic data. The relative and absolute configurations were deduced by comparing the experimental ¹³C NMR, ECD spectra, and OR data with those theoretically calculated. Vincamajorine A (1) represents a new C₂₀ carbon skeleton arranged compactly in seven rings, and vincamajorine B (2) is an alkaloid with an unprecedented 6/5/7/5/6 pentacyclic ring system. A possible biosynthetic pathway was also proposed for the formation of 1 and 2.     

Salviatalin A and salvitrijudin A, two diterpenes with novel skeletons from roots of Salvia digitaloides and anti-inflammatory evaluation

Salviatalin A (1) and salvitrijudin A (2), two diterpenes with novel skeletons, were isolated from the roots of Salvia digitaloides. Their structures were determined using 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESI-MS spectroscopic analyses. Salviatalin A (1) from bioassay-guided fractionation showed a potent inhibitory effect on superoxide anion production in GMLP/CB-activated human neutrophils as well as other anti-inflammatory effects. A plausible biosynthetic pathway is also discussed.     

Remisporine B, a novel dimeric chromenone derived from spontaneous Diels-Alder reaction of remisporine A

A novel cyclopentachromenone, remisporine A, has been isolated from liquid culture of the marine fungus Remispora maritima. Remisporine A is not stable under normal conditions and autocatalytically dimerizes to give rise to a stereospecific product remisporine B via Diels-Alder reaction. The structure of remisporine B was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 2D-NMR and HRMS data.     

Novel alkaloids, paxdaphnines A and B with unprecedented skeletons from the seeds of Daphniphyllum paxianum

Two novel Daphniphyllum alkaloids with unprecedented skeletons, namely paxdaphnines A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the seeds of Daphniphyllum paxianum. Paxdaphnine A (1) is a 19-nor-Daphniphyllum alkaloid with highly caged skeleton, and paxdaphnine B (2) is the first 1,19-bisnor-Daphniphyllum alkaloid. The relative structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectral methods, and their unique biosynthetic pathway postulated. The absolute structure of 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction of the iodide derivative (1a) of 1, and the absolute stereochemistry of 2 was proposed by correlation with the biosynthetic pathway for 1.     

Chloctanspirones A and B, novel chlorinated polyketides with an unprecedented skeleton, from marine sediment derived fungus Penicillium terrestre

Two novel chlorinated sorbicillinoids named chloctanspirones A (1) and B (2), possessing an unprecedented bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2-spiro cyclohexane skeleton, together with their quasi-precursors terrestrols K (3) and L (4), two additional new chlorinated compounds, were isolated from a marine sediment derived fungus Penicillium terrestre. Their structures including absolute stereochemistries were elucidated by analysis of NMR, MS data, and TDDFT CD calculations. The cytotoxic effects of 1-4 were preliminarily evaluated in HL-60 and A-549 cells. Compound 1 was active against both HL-60 and A-549 cells with IC₅₀s 9.2 and 39.7 μM, respectively, while 2 showed weaker activity only against HL-60 cells (IC₅₀ 37.8 μM).     

Houttuynoids A-E, anti-herpes simplex virus active flavonoids with novel skeletons from Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynoids A-E (1-5), a new type of flavonoid with houttuynin tethered to hyperoside, and their presumed biosynthetic precursor hyperoside (6) were isolated from the whole plant of Houttuynia cordata. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR. A hypothetical biogenetic pathway for houttuynoids A-E was proposed. Compounds 1-5 exhibited potent anti-HSV (herpes simplex viruses) activity.     

Novel terpenoids from the West Indian sea whip Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae (Bayer). Elisapterosins A and B: rearranged diterpenes possessing an unprecedented cagelike framework

Four diterpenes and a nor-diterpenoid, all of which possess unusual carbocyclic skeletons, were isolated from the hexane solubles of the West Indian gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. The structures and relative configurations of novel metabolites elisabethin D (2), elisabethin D acetate (3), 3-epi-elisabanolide (5), elisapterosin A (6), and elisapterosin B (7) were elucidated by interpretation of overall spectral data, which included 2D NMR correlation methods, IR, UV, and accurate mass measurements (HREI-MS and HRFAB-MS), chemical reactions, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The tetracyclic carbon skeleton of the elisapterosins is undescribed and constitutes a new class of C(20) rearranged diterpenes. Elisapterosin B displays strong in vitro anti-tuberculosis activity.     

Junceols D-H, new polyoxygenated briaranes from sea whip gorgonian coral Junceella juncea (Ellisellidae)

Chemical investigations on the sea whip gorgonian coral Junceella juncea have led to the isolation of five new 8-hydroxybriarane diterpenoids, junceols D-H (1-5). The structures of briaranes 1-5 were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods and the methylenecyclohexane rings were found to exist in boat form in these new diterpenoids. Junceols D (1) and F-H (3-5) exhibited cytotoxicity toward CCRF-CEM and DLD-1 tumor cells and junceols E-H (2-5) displayed weak inhibitory effects on superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils.     

Penilactones A and B, two novel polyketides from Antarctic deep-sea derived fungus Penicillium crustosum PRB-2

Two highly oxygenated polyketides, penilactones A and B (1 and 2), containing a new carbon skeleton formed from two 3,5-dimethyl-2,4-diol-acetophenone units and a γ-butyrolactone moiety, together with five known compounds (3-7) were isolated from an Antarctic deep-sea derived fungus Penicillium crustosum PRB-2. Penilactones A and B possess antipodal absolute stereochemistries. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and CD analyses. A plausible biogenetic pathway for 1-2 is proposed.     

Parviflorenes B-F, novel cytotoxic unsymmetrical sesquiterpene-dimers with three backbone skeletons from Curcuma parviflora

Five novel natural products classified as dimeric sesquiterpenes, named parviflorenes B-F (2-6), possessing three types of novel backbone frameworks, have been isolated from Curcuma parviflora (Zingiberaceae). The structures of 2-6 were elucidated by means of spectroscopic studies, and the structure of 2 was further unambiguously established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 2, 4, and 6 have an unsymmetrical bis-cadinane skeleton, while compound 3 is a dimer of cadinane and iso-cadinane, and compound 5 possesses another novel carbon framework consisting of two cadinanes with different bond-connection. These new compounds with novel carbon skeletons showed cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines.     

Structures of novel antibiotics, furaquinocins A and B

Structures of novel citocydal antibiotics furaquinocins A and B, isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. KO-3988, was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.     

Design,synthesis, and bioactivities of novel pyridazinone derivatives containing 2-phenylthiazole or oxazole skeletons

A series of novel pyridazinone derivatives were designed and synthesized by replacing 4-(tert-butyl)phenyl moiety of pyridaben with 2-phenylthiazole or oxazole fragments via activity substructure connecting approach. The structures of all target compounds were characterized through NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. Bioassay results exhibit that most compounds showed potent bioactivities against Aphis fabae, Tetranychus urticae, Erysiphe graminis, and/or Puccinia polysora. Among the newly synthesized compounds, 2-(tert-butyl)-4-chloro-5-(((2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)methyl)thio)pyridazin-3(2H)-one ( 12b ) displays remarkable insecticidal activity against A fabae. Its LC₅₀ value (2.73 mg/L) is better than that of pyridaben (5.46 mg/L), although inferior to that of imidacloprid (0.51 mg/L). In addition to its extraordinary insecticidal activity, compound 12b also exerts 96.9% fungicidal activities against P polysora at 500 mg/L in vivo, significantly superior to that of pyridaben (50.0%), while slightly lower than that of tebuconazole (100%). This article discusses the synthesis, bioassay results, and structure-activity relationship of this series of novel pyridazinone derivatives.     

Cyanthiwigin AC and AD, two novel diterpene skeletons from the Jamaican sponge Myrmekioderma styx

[structure: see text] Three novel diterpenes, called cyanthiwigins AB (1), AC (2), and AD (3), were isolated from the Jamaican sponge Myrmekioderma styx. Their structures were elucidated by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods. Cyanthiwigin AC (2) and AD (3) represent novel diterpene-type skeletons.