A new class of anthocyanin‐procyanidin condensation products detected in red wine by electrospray ionization multi‐stage mass spectrometry analysis

In our previous work, we have identified, in a model wine solution containing malvidin 3‐glucoside, epicatechin and acetaldehyde, a new condensation product – hydroxylethyl‐malvidin‐3‐glucoside‐ethyl‐epicatechin. The objective of this work was to verify the presence of such new condensation products in red wine. For this purpose, red wine was fractionated into various fractions by column chromatography on LiChroprep RP 18 and on Toyopearl 40 (F). The phenolic composition of each fraction was verified by HPLC‐DAD and direct‐infusion ESI‐MSⁿ analysis. In addition to the well‐known anthocyanins and their acetyl and coumaroyl derivatives, and several direct and indirect anthocyanin‐(epi)catechin condensation products, a new class of pigmented products, namely hydroxyethyl‐anthocyanin‐ethyl‐flavanol compounds, have been detected in red wine. The new class of pigmented products would be expected to be the major pigments responsible for the color of aged red wine. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The chemistry of wine polyphenolic C-glycosidic ellagitannins targeting human topoisomerase II

Polyphenolic nonahydroxyterphenoyl-containing C-glycosidic oak ellagitannins are found in wine as a result of the aging of this beverage in oak-made barrels. Once in the slightly acidic wine (pH approximately 3-4), some of these complex natural products such as (-)-vescalagin (1), but not its C-1 epimer (-)-castalagin (2), can capture grape-derived nucleophilic entities such as ethanol, the flavanols catechin (10a) and epicatechin (10b), the anthocyanin oenin (13b), and the thiolic glutathione (16) to furnish condensation products with retention of configuration at the C-1 locus. A computer-aided rationale of this high diastereoselectivity is given. These condensation products can contribute to the modulation of organoleptic properties of the wine, as evidenced by the 23 nm bathochromic shift color absorbance observed with the novel oenin-based anthocyano-ellagitannin (15b). Hydrolysis of 1 under solvolytic conditions furnished another novel compound that we refer to as vescalene (21), in addition to the known (-)-vescalin (18). Of pharmacological importance is the fact that most of these found-in-wine water-soluble ellagitannin derivatives are much more potent than etoposide (VP-16) at inhibiting top2-mediated DNA decatenation in vitro (top2=topoisomerase II)). The known (-)-vescalin (18) and the novel vescalene (21) fully inhibited top2 at 10 microM concentration!     

Chemoselective protection of thiols versus alcohols and phenols. The Tosvinyl group

The conjugate addition of aliphatic and aromatic thiols to ethynyl p-tolyl sulphone (tosylacetylene) has been managed to afford Tosvinyl derivatives chemoselectively (in the presence of oxygen nucleophiles) and stereoselectively (isomers Z) in practically quantitative yields. The conditions of choice are: catalytic amounts of Et₃N (only 0.5-1.0 mol%), a reaction temperature around 0°C and, for the less acidic thiols, CF₃CH₂OH or CH₃CN/CF₃CH₂OH as the solvent. Thus, N-Boc-Cys-OMe has been quantitatively protected as its S-Tosvinyl derivative in the presence of N-Boc-Ser-OMe and N-Boc-Tyr-OMe. This novel protecting group is stable to several basic and acidic conditions; its removal is achieved at rt by treatment with an excess of pyrrolidine or at 0°C with alkanethiolate ions.     

6,7,14,15-Tetrahydro[1,5]diazocino[1,2-a:6,5-a′]diindole. Synthesis of a novel pentacyclic ring system

In search of new lead structures for potent allosteric enhancers of antagonist binding to muscarinic M₂ receptors, the first representative of a novel heterocyclic ring system, 6,7,14,15-tetrahydro[1,5]diazocino[1,2-a:6,5-a′]diindole, has been synthesized. The new pentacyclic ring skeleton is obtained from [3-(2-dibenzylaminoethyl)indol-2-yl]-acetic acid methyl ester in three steps.     

Reactions of oxonium derivatives of [B12H12] with sulphur nucleophiles. Synthesis of novel B12-based mercaptanes, sulfides and nucleosides

Cleavage of oxonium derivatives of [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ by various S-nucleophiles was studied. Reactions of tetrabutylammonium 1-tetramethylene-(3-oxa)-oxonium-closo-undecahydrododecaborate with thiourea and a series of thiols resulted in novel B₁₂-based mercaptane, aliphatic, aromatic and heteroaromatic sulfides with high yields under mild conditions. This approach was also used for the preparation of novel guanosine derivative of [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻.     

Formation of new anthocyanin-alkyl/aryl-flavanol pigments in model solutions

The contribution of the aldehyde composition of wine spirit to the colorimetric changes in red Port wine was studied in model solutions by HPLC-diode array detection (DAD) and liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry (MS). The reaction between anthocyanins, catechin and the several aldehydes was tested with dimers B4 and B2-3′-O-gallate, two of most abundant procyanidins dimers present in young Port wines. Both dimers reacted with oenin (malvidin-3-glycoside, mv3gl) mediated by several aldehydes (such as acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, formaldehyde, isobutyraldehyde and benzaldehyde) leading to the formation of the respective alkyl/aryl linked adducts. The structures of mv3gl-alkyl/aryl-dimer (B4 and B2-3′-O-gallate) and mv3gl-alkyl/aryl-cat ((−)-epicatechin and (−)-epicatechin-gallate) were assigned by LC/ESI-MS.     

A new enlargement methodology for the preparation of 2H-1- and 2H-3-benzazepin-2-one derivatives

An investigation of the one-carbon homologation of some 1-tribromomethyl-isoquinoline and 2-tribromomethyl-quinoline derivatives was conducted. Under the influence of an aqueous solution of silver nitrate in the presence of a nucleophilic species (MeOH, H₂O, EtNH₂), these derivatives led to the respective expanded heterocycles, 2H-1- and 2H-3-benzazepin-2-one derivatives. A mechanism for this novel ring enlargement involving initial formation of an aziridinium, and its subsequent opening to form a stabilized benzylic carbocation, is proposed to explain the results.     

Hybrid supraparticles of carbon dots/porphyrin for multifunctional tongue-mimic sensors

Supraparticles（SPs）, such as assembly of inorganic components with organic, have made tremendous attention in biochemical analysis, which represents a novel but challenging research orientation. Herein, a single-SPs multifunctional fluorescent sensor array has been developed for high-throughput detection of heavy metal ions in biofluids, which is based on an inorganic/organic hybrid SPs consisting of carbon dots（CDs） and an easily available porphyrin [5,10,15,20-tetra（4-carboxyphenyl）porphyrin（T...     

Control of release properties of guest molecules by the type of benzoheterocyclic ring in supramolecular host complexes

Three types of supramolecular benzoheterocyclic host complexes were successfully prepared using (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol and three types of benzoheterocyclic (benzothiophene, benzofuran, and benzopyrrole) acid derivatives. The host complexes had one-dimensional (1D) channel-like cavities that were formed by the assembly of two-component 2₁-helical columnar network structures, which included guest alcohol molecules. The release behavior of the guest molecules could be tuned by the type of heterocyclic ring in the supramolecular host complex.     

Uroleuconaphins A1 and B1, two red pigments from the aphid Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum (Olive)

Two novel red pigments, uroleuconaphins A₁ (1) and B₁ (2) were isolated from the aphid Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum (Olive). The structures and the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis of their derivatives. These structures were constituted as dimeric compounds of two molecules of quinone A (3), which were linked via a dihydrofuran ring system.     

Field method for determination of traces of thiols in natural waters

Derivatization with 2,2′-dithiobis(5-nitropyridine) (DTNP) was used to stabilize thiols in field samples and to determine these compounds by liquid chromatography (LC) with ultraviolet detection. Alternatively, the thiols can be regenerated from DTNP derivatives using tributylphosphine (TBP) and derivatized with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA). The DTNP derivatives were stable at pH 5 and 6 for more than 2 weeks in the reaction mixture, but the stability was considerably lower at pH values > 8. Derivatization at pH 6 was routinely done and the reaction was complete within 5 min. The derivatives can be extracted quantitatively on commercial C₁₈ cartridges, which allows several-fold sample enrichment. The cartridge-adsorbed derivatives are stable at 0–5 °C for long periods and, therefore, can be stored for LC separation at a later date. DTNP derivatives of ten low-molecular-weight thiols were separated on a C₁₈ microbore column using gradient elution and a flow-rate of 200 μl min^?1. The relative standard deviation based on repeated analyses of standards is about 5% in the range 0.5–2 nM. Without C₁₈ cartridge enrichment, the detection limits of the studied thiols are in the range 50–100 nM. These limits are further reduced by about 100-fold by using the OPA method after regeneration of thiols from the DTNP derivatives using TBP. Applications of the method to coastal sediment pore water and anoxic Black Sea water are illustrated.     

Synthesis of bicyclic carbamates as precursors of Sedum alkaloid derivatives

Synthesis of a N-Boc-protected piperidin-2-yl phosphine oxide starting from piperidine in three steps, followed by olefination using a variety of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes resulted in tert-butyl 2-(2′-alkenylidene)piperidine-1-carboxylates in high yields. A novel type of intramolecular cyclization of these enamides furnished a new family of 3-alkyl-4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrido[1,2-c][1,3]oxazin-1-ones as useful substrates for further elaboration. Subsequent reduction of these unsaturated bicyclic carbamates using NaCNBH₃ or NaBH₄ afforded the corresponding 3-alkylhexahydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]oxazin-1-ones in a highly stereoselective way. Reductive ring opening of two representatives furnished the corresponding Sedum alkaloid derivatives in good yields.     

Hemisynthesis and structural characterization of flavanol‐(4,8)‐vitisins by mass spectrometry

Vitisins constitute the major group of pyranoanthocyanins naturally occurring in red wines. Regarding their chemical structure, only carboxypyranoanthocyanins have been detected and quantified in red wines, but no vitisin with substitutions in the carbons of the A ring has been identified. However, considering the chemical reactions that take place in red wine, the existence of flavan‐3‐ol‐(4,6/8)‐vitisins is expected. This paper reports for the first time the structural identification of catechin‐vitisin A and catechin‐vitisin B based on their mass data and fragmentation patterns. This work also provides some chromatographic and visible spectroscopic features of these pigments and documents the existence of both in red table wines. Moreover, it is also proposed that Cat‐Vit A pigments arise from the cycloaddition of pyruvic acid to an anthocyanin moiety of a flavanol‐anthocyanin adduct rather than by direct nucleophilic attack of a vitisin A on the carbocation C₄ of catechin. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and stabilization mechanism of novel stabilizers for fullerene-malonamide derivatives in nitrocellulose-based propellants

Nitrocellulose (NC)-based propellants require stabilizers to avoid early decomposition or even explosion during storage. A series of novel fullerene-malonamide derivatives with different carbon chain lengths on the p-position of the benzene ring was synthesized as stabilizers for NC-based propellants through the Bingel reaction because of the excellent thermal stability and strong ability of these derivatives to eliminate free radicals. The molecular structures of these fullerene-malonamide derivatives were verified via ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, their stability was investigated using methyl violet, vacuum stability, and weight loss tests. Results indicated that the stability of the novel fullerene-malonamide derivatives was considerably better than that of traditional stabilizers, such as N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-diphenylurea and diphenylamine. Moreover, these derivatives exhibited excellent thermal stability at high temperatures. The stability of the fullerene-malonamide derivatives also improved as the carbon chain length on the p-position of the benzene ring on C₆₀ increased. In addition, the stability mechanism of the fullerene-malonamide derivatives was studied through electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results turned out that the fullerene-malonamide derivatives could react with nitroxide radicals released from the pyrolysis of NC. Hence, these novel fullerene-malonamide derivatives can be used as promising stabilizers for NC-based propellants.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel pyranoluteolinidin dyes

The synthesis and structural characterization by LC–MS and NMR of novel pyranoluteolinidin derivatives are reported. The compounds result from the reactions between luteolinidin and three different carboxylic acids in wine model-like solutions. The three pigments possess different substituents attached to the D ring (methyl, catechol and dimethylaminophenyl groups) and the same catechol group in the B ring, yielding a wide spectrum of colors from yellow to pink-purple.     

Comparison on phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of cabernet sauvignon and merlot wines from four wine grape-growing regions in china

The antioxidant activities in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines from four wine grape-growing regions in China were measured by different analytical assays: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), superoxide radical-scavenging activity (SRSA) and the contents of total phenols, total flavonoids, total flavanols and total anthocyanins were determined. The results showed that the contents of phenolic compounds and the levels of antioxidant activity in the wine samples greatly varied with cultivar and environmental factors of vine growth. The contents of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines from the Yuquanying region of Ningxia were significantly higher than other three regions, followed by the wines from Shacheng region of Hebei, and these parameters were the lowest in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines from the Changli regions of Hebei and Xiangning region of Shanxi. Taken together, a close relationship between phenolic subclasses and antioxidant activity was observed for the wine samples. Moreover, there were significant discrepancies in the individual phenolic composition and content of four regional Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines, among which the individual phenolic compounds (catechin, epicatechin, cinnamic acid, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, laricitrin-3-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside) revealed a significant correlation (p < 0.05) with the antioxidant capacity in present study, especially for catechin and epicatechin.     

6,7,14,15-Tetrahydro-15aH-azocino[1,2-a:6,5-b′]diindole. Synthesis of a novel pentacyclic ring system

In search of new lead structures for potent allosteric enhancers of antagonist binding to muscarinic M₂ receptors, a novel heterocyclic ring system, 6,7,14,15-tetrahydro-15aH-azocino[1,2-a:6,5-b′]diindole, has been synthesized. The new ring skeleton was obtained from indol-2-yl-acetic acid in three steps.     

Perfluoroalkylation of 2-Thiopyrimidine Derivatives

The method of perfluoroalkylation of heterocyclic thiols and disulfides by thermolytic reaction with xenon(II) bisperfluoroalkylcarboxylates has been extended to sulfur-containing pyrimidines, including 2-mercaptopyrimidines, symmetrical disulfides, and S-trifluoroacetyl derivatives obtained from the corresponding thiols. The main reaction products are 2-SC_nF_2n+1 (n = 1, 2)-substituted pyrimidines. Their formation proceeds only via disulfides into which the initial thiols and S-trifluoroacetyl derivatives are converted in the reaction medium. Side reactions occurred in the case of trifluoromethylation linked with the perfluoroalkylation of the pyrimidine nucleus at the free 5 position (in the case of the 4,6-dimethyl derivative), or at position 4 or 4 and 5 (for unsubstituted pyrimidine). In addition, the introduction of the CF₃ group at one of the methyl substituents was confirmed by the formation of CH₂CF₃ fragment.     

Photochemistry synthesis. Part 2: Enantiomerically pure polyhydroxy-1,1,3-triarylpropan-2-ols

A new method to open the heterocyclic ring of flavan-3-ols via photolytic cleavage of the ether bond, with stereoselective trapping of the intermediates with phloroglucinol to obtain phloroglucinol grafted derivatives of flavan-3-ols, was developed. Photolysis of catechin and epicatechin, respectively, in the presence of phloroglucinol yielded the enantiomeric (1S,2S)- and (1R,2R)-1,3-di(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propan-2-ols, respectively. The absolute configuration at C-1 and C-2 was determined by electronic circular dichroism (experimental and calculated) and these results confirmed that the trapping mechanism is controlled by the C-3 configuration of the flavan-3-ol.     

Substitution pattern elucidation of hydroxypropyl Pinus pinaster (Ait.) bark polyflavonoid derivatives by ESI(−)‐MS/MS

The structure of condensed tannins (CTs) from Pinus pinaster bark extract and their hydroxypropylated derivatives with four degrees of substitution (DS 1, 2, 3 and 4) has been characterized for the first time using negative‐ion mode electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI(?)‐MS/MS). The results showed that P. pinaster bark CTs possess structural homogeneity in terms of monomeric units (C₁₅, catechin). The oligomer sizes were detected to be dimers to heptamers. The derivatives showed typical phenyl‐propyl ether mass fragmentation by substituent elimination (58 amu) and inherent C₁₅ flavonoid fissions. The relative abundance of the product ions revealed a preferential triple, tetra‐/penta‐ and octa‐ hydroxypropylation substitution pattern in the monomer, dimer and trimer derivatives, respectively. A defined order of –OH reactivity towards propylene oxide was established by means of multistage experiments (A‐ring ≥ B‐ring > C‐ring). A high structural heterogeneity of the modified oligomers was detected. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.