The structure and relative configuration of the decipiene diterpenes

The structures and relative configuration of three decipiene diterpenes from Eremophila decipiens have been established by degradation studies. These diterpenes possess the new tricyclic decipiane skeleton based on the tricyclo [5,3,1,0^5,11] undecane ring system.     

Synthetic studies towards picrasane quassinoids

An advanced intermediate 40 with the ABC ring of the picrasane quassinoid skeleton has been synthesised from ent-halimic acid. The bicyclic system of the starting material has been incorporated as the BC part of the ABC system. Until date, no diterpenes of the antipode series have been used in this kind of approach.     

Convenient syntheses of ring-B-nor analogues of Ambrox® and amberketal via a novel ring contraction reaction

Manool is converted into ring-B-nor analogues of commercially important perfumery compounds via a novel ring-B-nor intermediate methylene ketone 9. Compound 9 is synthesised via the formation of an exocyclic bromonium ion and the concomitant ring contraction of the B-ring of a diterpene skeleton derived from manool. Oxidation and base treatment of the ring-contracted product result in dehydrohalogenation and decarboxylation to afford methylene ketone compound 9, which is then converted to ring-B-nor analogues of Ambrox® and amberketal.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Kravanhin B

The first asymmetric total synthesis of kravanhin B has been accomplished with a linear reaction sequence of 13 steps starting from (R)‐(?)‐carvone. The synthesis features an intramolecular aldol cyclization to construct the desired cis‐fused decalin skeleton and an acid‐catalyzed dehydration and olefin isomerization to install the γ‐butenolide ring.     

Concise Access to the Skeleton of Protoilludane Sesquiterpenes through a Photochemical Reaction Cascade: Total Synthesis of Atlanticone C

In a single photochemical operation (λ≥350 nm) an easily accessible indanone derivative was converted into a structurally complex precursor of the protoilludane sesquiterpenes. The product (60 % yield) contains all 15 carbon atoms of the skeleton in the required connectivity and was transformed into the natural product atlanticone C (9 steps, 6 % overall yield). In addition, it was shown that other protoilludanes, such as Δ⁶‐protoilludene and paesslerin A, can be prepared in a concise fashion via the photochemical key intermediate. The photochemical reaction cascade comprises an ortho photocycloaddition, a thermal disrotatory ring opening and a regioselective disrotatory [4π] photocyclization.     

Bioisosteric hybrids of two anti-inflammatory agents, rutaecarpine and piroxicam

Bioisosteric replacements were accomplished by building the structural elements of piroxicam, an anti-inflammatory drug, into the pentacyclic system of rutaecarpine, a quinazolinocarboline alkaloid, in order to modify activity and selectivity on COX-isoenzymes. The pentacyclic compounds were synthesized efficiently by employing 1-oxo-9,10,11,12-tetrahydro-4H-pyrido[1,2-b]1,2-benzothiazine 5,5-dioxide as a key intermediate, and prepared by alternative routes. Condensation of the tricyclic ketone with arylhydrazines and subsequent Fischer-indolization provided the first representatives of new heterocyclic ring systems 3 and 4.     

Biosynthesis of indole diterpenes, emindole, and paxilline: involvement of a common intermediate

The key step for construction of the carbon skeleton in the indole diterpenes, paxilline, and emindole DA was examined. Intact incorporation of multiply (2)H-labeled 3-geranylgeranylindole into two different fungal metabolites proves 3-geranylgeranylindole to be a biosynthetic intermediate. These results give evidence that indole diterpenes are biosynthesized via epoxidation of a common intermediate, and the subsequent cationic cyclization, analogous to those in the steroid biosynthesis. [structure: see text]     

Total syntheses of lindenane-type sesquiterpenoids: (±)-chloranthalactones A, B, F, (±)-9-hydroxy heterogorgiolide, and (±)-shizukanolide E

Chloranthalactones A, B, F, 9-hydroxy heterogorgiolide, and shizukanolide E are a family of natural lindenane-type sesquiterpenoids isolated mainly from chloranthaceae. A general synthetic strategy was accomplished by us for the racemic total syntheses of the five natural products. The key steps included substrate-controlled Matteson epoxidation of ketone and highly diastereoselective intramolecular Hodgson cyclopropanation to construct the challenging cis, trans-3/5/6 tricyclic skeleton, along with a methodology developed for the γ-alkylidenebutenolide ring formation.     

Tricyclo[4.2.2.22,5] dodecane and Tricyclo [4.2.2.12,5]undecane. Preliminary communication

A synthesis of tricyclo [4.2.2.2^2,5]dodecane ( 19 ), a novel tricyclic C₁₂H₂₀ compound, is described. The key intermediate ketone 13 was prepared either from the C₁₀-photodimer 1 of cyclopentadienone or the C₁₁-cycloaddition products 11 and 12 . 13 was also transformed to tricyclo [4.2.2.1^2,5]undecane ( 8 ).     

Analysis of the Essential Oil of Elsholtzia ciliate Aerial Parts and Its Insecticidal Activities against Liposcelis bostrychophila

Water‐distilled essential oil from Elsholtzia ciliate (Labiatae) aerial parts at flowering stage was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Thirty‐six compounds, accounting for 98.3% of the total oil content, were identified, and the main components of the essential oil were dehydroelsholtzia ketone (26.5%), (R)‐carvone (16.6%), elsholtzia ketone (14.6%), and D ‐limonene (4.1%). The essential oil contained higher amounts of monoterpenoids (83.4%) than of sesquiternoids (8.3%). Bioactivity‐directed chromatographic separation of the essential oil on repeated silica gel columns led to the isolation of three monoterpenoids. The essential oil possessed fumigant toxicity against the booklice (Liposcelis bostrychophila) with an LC₅₀ value of 475.2 μg/l, while the isolated constituents, (R)‐carvone, dehydroelsholtzia ketone, and elsholtzia ketone had LC₅₀ values of 417.4, 658.2, and 547.3 μg/l, respectively. The essential oil also exhibited contact toxicity against L. bostrychophila with an LC₅₀ value of 145.5 μg/cm². (R)‐Carvone, dehydroelsholtzia ketone, and elsholtzia ketone exhibited acute toxicity against the booklice with LC₅₀ values of 57.0, 151.5, and 194.1 μg/cm², respectively. The results indicated that the essential oil and the isolated constituents have potential for the development into natural insecticides/fumigants for the control of insects in stored grains.     

Isolation and Structural Characterization of New,Highly Functionalized Diterpenes from Euphorbia serrulata

Five new diterpene polyesters, 1 – 5 , with jatrophane skeletons were isolated from the fresh whole plants of Euphorbia serrulata. The structure elucidation was performed by means of UV/VIS spectroscopy, HR‐ESI‐MS, and advanced two‐dimensional NMR methods, including ¹H‐NMR, JMOD, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments. The relative configurations of 1 – 5 and their conformations in solution were analyzed on the basis of NOESY measurements. As a result of detailed NMR studies, complete ¹H and ¹³C chemical‐shift assignments of the compounds were possible. The isolated compounds differ stereochemically and do not comprise a uniform series regarding the configurations at C(2), C(6), and C(13). Compound 5 possesses the new structural feature of a double bond with (Z)‐configuration in the macrocyclic ring of the jatrophane skeleton, while compound 2 has a C?C bond in the five‐membered ring, this being the first observation of this structural feature in the type of macrocyclic Euphorbiaceae diterpenes.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of clerodin homolog A synthetic approach to structure-activity relationships

In order to elucidate the structure-activity relationships of the antifeeding diterpenes having a $\text{neo}$-clerodane skeleton, clerodin homolog $\text{5}$ was stereoselectively synthesized through 18 steps $\text{via}$ a key intermediate $\text{11}$. Perhydrofuro[2,3-b]furan ring in the synthesized homolog was more unstable than that of the natural product, and gave a $\text{tri}$-MeOH adduct $\text{3}$ in a similar behavior to that of the model compounds $\text{1}$ and $\text{2}$.     

A general approach to cyathin diterpenes. Total synthesis of allocyathin B(3)

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of allocyathin B(3) from an advanced intermediate possessing the ring system and relative stereochemistry but lacking the isopropyl and hydroxymethyl groups is reported. The isopropyl group was introduced by radical cyclization of a methyl propargyl acetal of an alpha-bromo ketone, and the hydroxymethyl group was generated by Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of a vinyl triflate. The route provides functionalized intermediates that could allow access to more complex members of the cyathin family of diterpenes.     

Spongiains A-C: Three new spongian diterpenes with ring A rearrangement from the marine sponge Spongia sp.

Spongiains A-C (1–3), the first examples of spongian diterpenes bearing a pentacyclic skeleton composed of a fused 5/5/6/6/5 ring system through ring A rearrangement, together with four new spongian diterpenes, spongiains D-G (4–7), were isolated from the marine sponge Spongia sp.. The structures with absolute configurations of these compounds were elucidated by the methods of NMR, X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical approaches. The hypothetical biogenetic pathways as well as cytotoxic activities of 1–7 were also discussed.     

Synthesis of ent‐Ketorfanol via a C–H Alkenylation/Torquoselective 6π Electrocyclization Cascade

The asymmetric synthesis of ent‐ketorfanol from simple and commercially available precursors is reported. A Rh^I‐catalyzed intramolecular C? H alkenylation/torquoselective 6π electrocyclization cascade provides a fused bicyclic 1,2‐dihydropyridine as a key intermediate. Computational studies were performed to understand the high torquoselectivity of the key 6π electrocyclization. The computational results demonstrate that a conformational effect is responsible for the observed selectivity. The ketone functionality and final ring are introduced in a single step by a redox‐neutral acid‐catalyzed rearrangement of a vicinal diol to give the requisite carbonyl, followed by intramolecular Friedel–Crafts alkylation.     

Synthesis of a chiral steroid ring D precursor starting from carvone

A chiral five-membered, silyl enol ether containing, steroid ring D precursor has been synthesized from carvone. This silyl enol ether has been applied in the synthesis of a chiral C17 functionalized steroid skeleton using the addition of a carbocation, generated with ZnBr₂ from a Torgov reagent, followed by cyclization of the adduct by treatment with acid.     

Formal synthesis of optically active ingenol via ring-closing olefin metathesis

The construction of strained carbon skeletons by ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) was investigated. With well-designed diene 4, RCM was found to be applicable to the formation of a highly strained inside-outside bicyclo[4.4.1]undecane skeleton of ingenol, a bioactive diterpenoid, and formal total synthesis of optically active ingenol (1) was achieved. The key features of this synthesis are construction of an A-ring by spirocyclization of the ketone with an allylic chloride unit, 26, and ring closure of a B-ring by olefin metathesis. Starting from Funk's keto ester 6, the key intermediate aldehyde 9 in Winkler's total synthesis was synthesized in eight steps in 12.5% overall yield. This strategy of direct cyclization of a strained inside-outside skeleton provided the first easy access to optically active ingenol.     

(E)-9-Isopropyl-6-methyl-5,9-decadien-2-one,a Terpenoid C14-Ketone with a Novel Skeleton

(E)-9-Isopropyl-6-methyl-5,9-decadien-2-one (1a) , a terpenoid C₁₄-ketone with a novel skeleton, was isolated from costus root oil (Saussurea lappa CLARKE ) and its structure established by a two-step synthesis from thuja ketone ( 2 ). The possible role of the new compound as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the irones is discussed.     

Synthetic studies directed towards asmarines; construction of the tetrahydrodiazepinopurine moiety by ring closing metathesis

Asmarines are tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[1,2,3-g,h]purine derivatives isolated from marine sponges (Raspailia sp). They possess profound cytotoxic activity towards cancer cell lines, and are thus attractive synthetic targets. The tetrahydrodiazepinopurine ring skeleton has been prepared employing the RCM reaction on Boc-protected 6-allylamino-7-(propen-1-yl)purine as the key step for the construction of the seven-membered ring. 7-(Propen-1-yl)purines were formed by a novel rearrangement of 7-allylpurines under basic conditions. Boc-protected N⁶,7-diallylpurine also participated in RCM to give the eight-membered ring analog of the diazepinopurine.     

Etudes stéréochimiques XIV. Adduits de Diels-Alder en série résiniques; action des peracides et ouvertures acido-catalysées d'époxydes

Studies in Stereochemistry XIV. Diels-Alder adducts in the resin series; action of peracids and acid-catalysed ring opening of epoxides The synthesis of Diels-Alder compounds of type 2 with a 17-nor-13(14)-atisène skeleton is described (cf. Schemes 1–3). Depending on the nature and configuration of substituents R¹ and R² on the carbon atoms 15 and 16, an epoxide ( 24–33 ) or a ketone ( 35–38 ) or a mixture of epoxide, ketone and lactone is obtained by the action of p-nitroperbenzoic acid on the double bond of these adducts (cf. Scheme 4). A simplified reaction scheme is suggested to explain the formation of the various products. In an acid-catalysed reaction, the epoxides isomerize mainly into ketones. Nevertherless, in some cases, dienes (e.g. 52 ) or hydroxy-γ-lactones of (13R*, 14S*)-configuration (e.g. 50 ) resulting from the opening of the epoxide ring with retention of configuration were obtained.