Synthesis of (all-E,2R,2′R)-oscillol

Optically active (all-E,2R,2′R)-oscillol (= (all-E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetradehydro-1,2,1′,2′-tetrahydro-ψ,ψ-carotene-1,2,1′,2′-tetrol; 1 ) was synthesized according to the C₁₀ + C₂₀ + C₁₀ = C₄₀ strategy, applying the Wittig reaction to couple the synthons 4 and 6 . The chiral centre was introduced by a Sharpless dihydroxylation of 3-methylbut-2-enyl 4-nitrobenzoate ( 8 ).     

C45- and C50-Carotehoids. Part 8. Synthesis of (all-E,2S,2′S)-bacterioruberin, (all-E,2S,2′S)-monoanhydrobacterioruberin, (all-E,2S,2′S)-bisanhydrobacterioruberin, (all- E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydrobisanhydro- bacterioruberin,and (all-E,S)-2-isopentenyl-3,4-dehydrorhodopin

Starting from (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid ((R)- 10 ) the C₄₅- and C₅₀-carotenoids (all-E,2S,2′S)-bacterioruberm ( 1 ), (all-E,2S,2′S)-monoanhydrobacterioruberin ( 2 ), (all-E,2S,2′S)-bisanhydrobacterioruberin ( 3 ), (all-E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydrobisanhydrobacterioruberin ( 5 ), and (all-E,S)-2-isopentenyl-3,4-dehydrorhodopin ( 6 ) were synthesized. By comparison of the chiroptical data of the natural and the synthetic compounds, the (2S)- and (2′S)-configuration of the natural products 1–3 and 6 was established.     

Trennung und absolute Konfiguration der C(8)-epimeren (all-E)-Neochrome (Trollichrome) und -Dinochrome

Separation and Absolute Configuration of the C(8)-Epimeric (app-E)-Neochromes (Trollichromes) and -Dinochromes The C(8′)-epimers of (all-E)-neochrome were separated by HPLC and carefully characterized. The faster eluted isomer, m.p. 197.8–198.3°, is shown to have structure 3 ((3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-5′,8′-epoxy-6,7-dodehydro-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol). To the other isomer, m.p. 195-195.5°, we assign structure 6 , ((3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-5′,8′-epoxy-6,7-didehydro-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol). The already known epimeric dinochromes (= 3-O-acetylneochromes) can now be formulated as 4 and 5 , (‘epimer 1’ and its trimethylsilyl ether) and 7 and 8 , (‘epimer 2’ and its trimethylsilyl ether), respectively.     

Synthese von diastereo- und enantio-selektiv deuterierten β,ε-, β,β-, β,γ- und γ,γ-Carotinen

Synthesis of Diastereo- and Enantioselectively Deuterated β,ε-, β,β-, β,γ- and γ,γ-Carotenes We describe the synthesis of (1′R, 6′S)-[16′, 16′, 16′-²H₃]-β, εcarotene, (1R, 1′R)-[16, 16, 16, 16′, 16′, 16′-²H₆]-β, β-carotene, (1′R, 6′S)-[16′, 16′, 16′-²H₃]-γ, γ-carotene and (1R, 1′R, 6S, 6′S)-[16, 16, 16, 16′, 16′, 16′-²H₆]-γ, γ-carotene by a multistep degradation of (4R, 5S, 10S)-[18, 18, 18-²H₃]-didehydroabietane to optically active deuterated β-, ε- and γ-C₁₁-endgroups and subsequent building up according to schemes \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm C}_{11} \to {\rm C}_{14}^{C_{\mathop {26}\limits_ \to }} \to {\rm C}_{40} $\end{document} and C₁₁ → C₁₄; C₁₄+C₁₂+C₁₄→C₄₀. NMR.- and chiroptical data allow the identification of the geminal methyl groups in all these compounds. The optical activity of all-(E)-[²H₆]-β,β-carotene, which is solely due to the isotopically different substituent not directly attached to the chiral centres, is demonstrated by a significant CD.-effect at low temperature. Therefore, if an enzymatic cyclization of [17, 17, 17, 17′, 17′, 17′-²H₆]lycopine can be achieved, the steric course of the cyclization step would be derivable from NMR.- and CD.-spectra with very small samples of the isolated cyclic carotenes. A general scheme for the possible course of the cyclization steps is presented.     

(all-E)-12′-Apozeaxanthinol,Persicaxanthine und Persicachrome

( all-E)-12′-Apozeanthinol, Persicaxanthine, and Persicachromes Reexamination of the so-called ‘persicaxanthins’ and ‘persicachromes’, the fluorescent and polar C₂₅-apocarotenols from the flesh of cling peaches, led to the identification of the following components: (3R)-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 3 ), (3S,5R,8R, all-E)- and (3S,5R,8S,all-E)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diols (4 and 5, resp.), (3S,5R,6S,all-E)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-l2′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol =persicaxanthin; ( 6 ), (3S,5R,6S,9Z,13′Z)-5,6-dihydro-12′apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 7 ; probable structure), (3S,5R,6S,15Z)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 8 ), and (3S,5R,6S,13Z)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 9 ). The (Z)-isomers 7 – 9 are very labile and, after HPLC separation, isomerized predominantly to the (all-E)-isomer 6 .     

Epoxidierung von Cucurbitaxanthin A: Herstellung von Cucurbitaxanthin B und seines 5′,6′-Epimeren

Epoxidation of Cucurbitaxanthin A: Preparation of Cucurbitaxanthin B and of Its 5′,6′-Epimer Cucurbitaxanthin A (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 1 ) isolated from red pepper (Capsicum annuum var. longum nigrum) was trimethylsiylated and then epoxidized with monoperphthalic acid. After deprotection and chromatographic separation, cucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R, 3′S,5′R,6′S)-3,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 2 ) and 5′,6′-diepicucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R, 3′S,5′S,6′R)-3,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 5 ) were obtained and carefully characterized. They show mirror-like CD spectra and, therefore, emphasize the importance of the torsion angle of C(6)–C(7) on the electronic interaction between the polyene chain and the chiral end group.     

C45- und C50-Carotinoide. 5. Mitteilung

C₄₅- and C₅₀-Carotenoids. Synthesis of an Optically Active Cyclic C₂₀-Building Block and of (2R,2′S)-3′,4′-Didehydro-1′,2′-dihydro-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2′-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-β,ψ-caroten-1′-ol (= C. p. 473) The synthesis of the optically active C₂₀-building block (R)- 16 and of the optically active C₅₀-carotenoid C.p. 473 ( 1 ) starting from (?)-β-pinene is reported.     

Reisolation of Carotenoid 3,6-Epoxides from Red Paprika (Capsicum annuum)

Cucurbitaxanthin A (= (3S,5R,6R,3′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β- carotene-5,3′-diol; 5 ), cucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′S)-3,6,5′, 6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 6 ), the epimeric cucurbitachromes 1 and 2 (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′S)- and (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-3,6,5′, 8′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol, resp.; 9/10 ), cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6,3′, 6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,κs-carotene-5,5′-diol; 8 ), and capsanthin 3,6-epoxide (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro ?5,3′-dihydroxy-β,κ-caroten-6′-one; 7 ) were isolated from red spice paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longum) and characterized by their ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, mass, and CD spectra.     

Synthesis of Carotenoids in the Gliding Bacteria Taxeobacter: (all-E,2′R)-3-deoxy-2′-hydroxyflexixanthin

The c₄₀-carotenoid (all-E, 2′R)-deoxy-2′-hydroxyflexixanthin (=1′,2′-dihydroxy-3′,4′-didehydro-1′,2′-dihydro-β,ψ-caroten-4-one;(2′R)- 2 ) was synthesized according to a C₁₅ + C₁₀ + C₁₀ = C₄₀ strategy. The chiral centre was introduced into the C₁₀-end group by the enantioselective Sharpless dihydroxylation. The four building blocks were coupled by applying four consecutive Witting reactions. By comparison of the CD spectra of the synthetic (2′R)- 2 with those of 2 isolated from the gliding bacteria Taxeobacter, the configuration of natural 2 was determined as (2′R).     

Synthese von enantiomerenreinem Mimulaxanthin und seiner (9Z,9′Z)- und (15Z)-Isomeren

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Mimulaxanthin and of Its (9Z,9′Z)- and (15Z)Isomers We present the details of a synthesis of optically active, enantiomerically pure stereoisomers of mimulaxanthin (=(3s,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-6,7,6′,7′-tetradehydro-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-3,5,3′,5′-tetrol) either as free alcohols 1a and 24a or as their crystalline (t-Bu)Me₂Si ethers 1b and 24b . Grasshopper ketone 2a , a presumed synthon, unexpectedly showed a very sluggish reaction with Wittig-Horner reagents. Upon heating with the ylide of ester phosphonates, an addition across the allenic bond occurred. On the contrary, a slow but normal 1,2-addition took place with the ylide from (cyanomethyl)phosphonate but, unexpectedly, with concomitant inversion at the chiral axis. So a mixture of(6R,6S,9E,9Z)-isomers 6 – 9 was produced {(Scheme 1). However, a fast and very clean 1,2-addition occurred with the ethynyl ketone 12 to yield the esters 13 and 14 (Scheme 2). DIBAH reduction of the separated stereoisomers gave the allenic alcohols 15 and 16 in high yield. Mild oxidation to the aldehydes 17 and 18 followed by their condensation with the acetylenic C₁₀-bis-ylide 19 led to the stereoisomeric 15,15′-didehydromimulaxanthins 20 and 22 , respectively (Schemes 3 and 4). Mimulaxanthins 1 and 24 were prepared by partial hydrogenation of 20 and 22 followed by a thermal (Z/E)-isomerization. As expected, the mimulaxanthins exhibit very weak CD curves, obviously caused by the allenic bond that insulates the chiral centers in the end group from the chromophor. On the contrary, some of the C₁₅-allenic synthons showed not only fairly strong CD effects but also a split CD curve which, in our interpretation, results from an exciton coupling between the allene and the C(9)?C(10) bond. We postulate a rotation around the C(8)? C(9) bond, presumably caused by an intramolecular H-bond in 16 or by a dipol interaction between the polarized double bonds in 6 , 7 , 8 , and 17 .     

Die diasteromeren Aurochrome: Synthese,Analytik und Chiroptische Eigenschaften

The Diastereomeric Aurochromes: Their Synthesis, Analysis and Chiroptical Properties (all-E)-Aurochrome (5,8:5′,8′-diepoxy-5,8,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene; 1 ) has two pairs of constitutionally identical chiral centres and, therefore, is expected to exist in four pairs of enantiomers and two meso-forms. Using starting materials with well-defined configuration, we performed the syntheses of the following pure aurochromes: (5R,8R,5′R,8′R)-aurochrome ( 2 ) and its racemate, Meso-(5R,8R,5′S,8′S)-aurochrome ( 3 ), (5 R,8 S,5′ R,8′ S)-aurochrome ( 4 ) and its racemate, meso-(5R,8S,5′S,8′R)-aurochrome ( 5 ), (5R,8R,5′R,8′S)-aurochrome ( 6 ) and its racemate. The (5RS,8RS,5′SR,8′RS)-aurochrome ( 7 ) was detected chromatographically, using a HPLC system that allows clean separation of the four racemic- (or optically active) and the two meso-aurochromes. The optically active autochromes 2 and 4 exhibit non-conservative CD spectra with strong Cotton effects of opposite but not mirror-like tracings. Solutions of aurochromes in CHCl₃, in the presence of HCl, undergo epimerization at C(8). Those epimers with CH₃ trans to C(9) slightly predominate under equilibrium conditions. Deprotonation of the phosphonate (±)- 14 with strong base causes isomerization at the terminal oxirane into a dihydrofuran. This reaction allowed convenient syntheses of the diastereoisomeric aurochromes (±)- 2, 3 , (±)- 4, 5 , (±)- 6 , and (±)- 7 and of (5RS, 8RS)- and (5RS, 8SR)-12′-apo-aurochrome-12′-als ( 21 and 22 , respectively).     

(5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-5,6,5′,6′-Diepoxy-β,β-cartin: Sythese,Spectroskopische, chiroptische und chromatographische Eigenschaften

(5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-5,6,5′,6′-Diepoxy-β,β-Carotene: Synthesis, Spectroscopical and Chiroptical Properties, and HPLC-Behaviour Using the scheme C₁₃ + C₂→C₁₅ + C₁₀→C₄₀, whereby C₁₃ = (5R,6S)-5,6-epoxy-β-ionone [8], the title compound 11a , (R = H), has been prepared and characterized. It exhibits nearly identical CD spectra as violaxanthin ( 11b , R = OH).     

Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol), ein neues Carotinoid aus Paprika (Capsicum annuum)

Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3.6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,5′-diol), a Novel Carotenoid from Red Paprika (Capsicum annuum) From red paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longum nigrum) cycloviolaxanthin was isolated as a minor carotenoid and, based on spectral data, assigned the symmetrical structure 8 .     

Preparation and Absolute Configuration of (−)-(E)-α-trans-Bergamotenone

The synthesis, absolute configuration, and olfactive evaluation of (?)-(E)-α-trans-bergamotenone (= (?)-(1′S,6′R,E)-5-(2′,6′-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2′-en-6′-yl)pent-3-en-2-one; (?)- 1 ), as well as its homologue (?)- 19 are reperted. The previously arbitrarily attributed absolute configuration of 1 and of (?)-α-trans-bergamotene (= (?)-(1 S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-ene; (?)- 2 ), together with those of the structurally related aldehydes (?)- 3a,b and alcohols (?)- 4a,b , have been rigorously assigned.     

Synthese von optisch aktiven,natürlichen Carotinoiden und strukturell verwandten Naturprodukten. VIII. Synthese von (3S,3′S)-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin und (3S,3′S)-7,8-Didehydroastaxanthin (Asterinsäure)

Synthesis of Optically Active Natural Carotenoids and Structurally Related Compounds. VIII. Synthesis of (3S,3′S)-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin and (3S,3′S)-7,8-Didehydroastaxanthin (Asterinic Acid) The synthesis of all-trans-(3S,3′S)-3,3′-dihydroxy-7,8, 7′,8′-tetradehydro-β, β-carotene-4,4′-dione ( 1 ), of all-trans-(3S,3′S)-3,3′-dihydroxy-7, 8-didehydro-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione ( 2 ) (asterinic acid = mixture of 1 and 2 ), and of their 9,9′-di-cis- and 9-cis-isomers is reported starting from (4′S)(2E)-5-(4′-hydroxy-2′, 6′,6′-trimethyl-3′-oxo-l′-cyclohexenyl)-3-methyl-2-penten-4-ynal ( 8 ). The absolute configuration (3S,3′S) for both components 1 and 2 of asterinic acid ex Asterias rubens is confirmed on the basis of spectroscopic and direct comparison.     

Stereochemische Korrelationen zwischen (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol, (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin und (–)-(R)-Linalol

Stereochemical Correlations between (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol, (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin and (–)-(R)-Linalol The optically active C₅- and C₄-building units 1 and 2 with their hydroxy group at a asymmetric C-atom were transformed to (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin ( 7 ) and (–)-(3R)-Linalol ( 8 ) respectively; 1 and 2 had been used earlier in the preparation of the chroman part of (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol ( 6a , vitamin E), and for introduction of the side chain in (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol ((25S)- 4 ), a natural metabolite of Vitamin D₃. The stereochemical correlations resulting from these converions fit into a coherent picture with those correlations already known from literature and they confirm our earlier stereochemical assignments. A stereochemical assignment concerning the C(25)-epimers of 25,26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol that was in contrast to our findings and that initiated the conversion of 1 and 2 to 7 resp. 8 for additional stereochemical correlations has been corrected in the meantime by the authors [26].     

Two androsterone derivatives as inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis

The title compounds, (3R,5S,5′R,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐5′‐(2‐methylpropyl)tetradecahydro‐6′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐3,2′‐[1,4]oxazinane]‐6′,17(2H)‐dione, C₂₆H₄₁NO₃, (I), and methyl (2R)‐2‐[(3R,5S,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐2′,17‐dioxohexadecahydro‐3′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐3,5′‐[1,3]oxazolidin‐3′‐yl]]‐4‐methylpentanoate, C₂₈H₄₃NO₅, (II), possess the typical steroid shape (A–D rings), but they differ in their extra E ring. The azalactone E ring in (I) shows a half‐chair conformation, while the carbamate E ring of (II) is planar. The orientation of the E‐ring substituent is clearly established and allows a rationalization of the biological results obtained with such androsterone derivatives.     

Mimulaxanthin,Hauptcarotinoid von Lamium montanum,und seine absolute Konfiguration; konfigurative Verknüpfung von Deepoxyneoxanthin mit Neoxanthin

Mimulaxanthin, the Main Carotenoid in Lamium montanum, Determination of its Absolute Configuration. Absolute Configuration of Deepoxyneoxanthin by its Correlation with Neoxanthin The carotenoid mixture isolated from the yellow flowers of Lamium montanum PERS. (Labiatae) consists of more than 75% of carotenoids with allenic end groups. Besides 32% of neoxanthin/neochrome we isolated 44% of mimulaxanthin ( 1a ), a very rare carotenoid so far only found in Mimulus sp. (Scrophulariaceae). Its absolute configuration was determined by oxidative degradation to the known ketone 3 (‘grasshopper ketone’) and by spectroscopic and chiroptical comparisons with neoxanthin (6). Mimulaxanthin (1a) therefore is (3S, 5R, 6R, 3′S, 5′R, 6′R)-6,7,6′,7′-tetradehydro-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β, β-carotene-3,5,3′,5′-tetraol. Deep-oxyneoxanthin, which was reisolated from Mimulus sp. is (3S, 5R, 6R, 3′R)-6,7-didehydro-6,7-dihydro-β, β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol (2) , as shown by spectroscopic and chemical correlation with neoxanthin ( 6; de-epoxydation by BuLi/FeCl₃).     

Isolation and Characterisation of (5R, 6S,5′R,8′R)- and (5R,6S,5′R,8′S)-Luteochrome from Brazilian Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas LAM.)

Luteochrome isolated from the tubers of a white-fleshed variety of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas LAM .) has been shown by HPLC, ¹H-NMR and CD spectra to consist of a mixture of (5R,6S,5′R,8′R)- and (5R,6S,5′R,8′S)- 5,6:5′,8′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene ( 1 and 2 , resp.). Therefore, its precursor is (5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-5,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene ( 4 ). This is the first identification of luteochrome as a naturally occurring carotenoid and, at the same time, gives the first clue to the as yet unknown chirality of the widespread β,β-carotene diepoxide. These facts demonstrate that the enzymic epoxidation of the β-end group occurs from the α-side, irrespective of the presence of OH groups on the ring.     

Technische Verfahren zur Synthese von Carotinoiden und verwandten Verbindungen aus 6-Oxo-isophoron. IV. Neues Konzept für die Synthese von (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3S, 3′S)- und (3R, 3′R)-9,9′-dicis-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin

Technical Procedures for the Synthesis of Carotenoids and Related Compounds from 6-Oxo-isophorone. IV. A Novel Concept for the Synthesis of (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3S, 3′S)- and (3R, 3′R)-9,9′-dicis-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin Starting from readily available intermediates of the synthesis of astaxanthin, (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3R, 3′R)- and (3S, 3′S)-9,9′-di-cis-tetradehydroastaxanthin ( 1, 1a and 1b , resp.) were synthesized, 1 and 1b for the first time. Key features of this concept are: a) use of the unprotected, acetylenic phosphonium salts 8–12 , b) a two-step synthesis with 47% overall yield, and c) good chemical and optical purity of the end products.