New Furano-sesquiterpenoids from Mediterranean Sponges

A mixture of sponges of the East Pyrenean Mediterranean is shown to contain the known sponge products longifolin ( 1 ), avarol ((+)- 3 ), and avarone ( 4 ) and the terrestrial-plant product sesquirosefuran ( 2 ), besides to the new furano-sesquiterpenoids tavacfuran (= 3-methyl-2-[(3′Z)-3′-methyl-4″-methyl-2″-furyl-3′-butenyl]furan; ( 5 ) and tavacpallescensin (= 5,10-dihydro-6,9-dimethyl-4H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]furan; 6 ) and the new furano-butenolide sesquiterpenoids tavacbutenolide-1 (= (±-4-ethoxy-2-methyl-4-)[(2′E)-2′-methyl-4′-(3″-methyl-2″-furyl)-2′-butenyl]-2-buten-4-olide; (±)- 7 ) and tavacbutenolide-2 (= (±)-4-ethoxy-3-methyl-4-[2′E)-3′-methyl-4′-(4″-methyl-2″-furyl)-2′-butenyl]-2-buten-4-olide; (±)- 8 ). Structural assignments are based on NMR data and on the synthesis of the (E)-isomer of 5 . The sponge Dysidea tupha of the same area is also shown to contain the two sesquiterpenoids ent-furodysinin ((?)- 14 ), which is enantiomeric to a product of a Dysidea sp. of Australian waters, and tuphabutenolide ((+)- 15 ).     

Zur Stereochemie der aromatischen Claisen-Umlagerung. Thermische Umlagerung von erythroiden und threoiden ortho-Dienonen

On the Stereochemistry of the Aromatic Claisen Rearrangement. Thermal Rearrangement of erythroid and threoid ortho-Dienones. Erythro- and threo-1-methyl-1-(1′-methyl-2′-propynyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydronaph-thalene (erythro- and threo- 6 ) as well as erythro- and threo-2,6-dimethyl-6-(1′-methyl-2′-propynyl)-cyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-one (erythro- and threo- 8 ) were obtained together with the corresponding aromatic ethers 5 and 7 by alkylation of 1-methyl-2-naphthol and 2,6-dimethyl-phenol, respectively in alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution with 1-methyl-2-propynyl p-toluenesulfonate (Scheme 2). The diastereoisomeric dienones 6 and 8 were easily separated by column chromatography on silica gel and its relative configuration at C(1) or C(6) and C(1′) deduced from the chemical shifts in their ¹H-NMR.-spectra (Table 1). Hydrogenation of 6 and 8 using Lindlar catalyst yielded the corresponding erythro- and threo-configurated (1′-methyl-2′-propenyl)-dienones 10 and 13 , respectively (Scheme 3) the thermal rearrangement of which were studied. The following results were obtained: threo- 10 rearranged in benzene at 85–105° preferentially via a chair-like (C) transition state to yield 99,5% (E)- and 0,5% (Z)-(2′-butenyl) 1-methyl-2-naphthyl ether ((E)- and (Z)- 14 ; ΔΔG (C/B) = ?4,0 kcal/mol). On the other hand, erythro- 10 when heated at 105-125° in benzene gave 84,7% (E)- and 15,3% (Z)- 14 , i.e. in this case a boat-like (B) transition state is favoured (G (C/B) = + 1,3 kcal/mol) (Scheme 5 and Table 2). The thermal rearrangement of dienones 13 led to the corresponding ethers 12 as well as p-allyl-phenols 11 . Thus, heating of threo- 13 at 20–42° in cyclohexane resulted in the formation of 2,5% of ether 12 , consisting of 98% of the (E)- and 2% of the (Z)-isomer, and 97,5% of (E)- 11 which contained, at a maximum, 0,5% of the (Z)-isomer, (Scheme 6 and Table 3). This means that both rearrangements occurred with a strong preference of the C transition state (G ( C/B , phenol) = ?3,3 kcal/mol). On the contrary, erythro- 13 when heated at 42–68° in cyclohexane yielded a 3:2 mixture of ether 12 and phenol 11 (Scheme 6). The ethereal part consisted of 88,0% of the (E)- and 12,0% of the (Z)-isomer which again shows that the B geometry predominated in the erythro transition state leading to the ether (G ( C / B )= + 1,3 kcal/mol). In the phenolic part 36–40% of the (E)-isomer and 64–60% of (Z)-isomer were found which means that in the para-Claisen rearrangement of erythro- 13 the C arrangement is only slightly favoured (ΔΔG ( C / B )= ?0,36 kcal/mol).     

Synthesis of(E)7-[[2-[4-(m-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3α and 3β-hydroxy-1-butenyl]-5-oxo-1 -pyrrolidinyl]]heptanoic acids

The synthesis of an 8-aza-PGE₁ analog, (E)-7-[[2-[4-(m-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3α and 3β-hydroxy-1-butenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidinyl]]heptanoic acids is reported.     

Solid-Phase Synthesis of (E)-3-Substituted Acrylonitriles from Polystyrene-Supported α-Selenoacetonitrile

A facile method for solid-phase organic synthesis of (E)-3-substituted acrylonitriles in good yields using polystyrene-supported α-selenoacetonitrile has been developed. The advantages of this method include straightforward operation, lack of odor, good stability, and high purity of the products.     

Glycosphingolipid with a branched sphingosine base from soft corals from the Andaman Islands

New cerebroside with the structure of 1-(-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-N-(2-hydroxyacyl)-erythro-2-amino-9-methyloctadeca-4E,8E-dien-3-ol (1) was isolated from the soft coral Cladiellasp. collected on the seaboard of the Andaman Islands (Indian Ocean). The acyl groups in compound 1 were identified as residues of d-2-hydroxy-C_20:0, -C_21:0, and -C_22:0 acids.     

A new 2-alkylhydroquinone glucoside from Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass

A new 2-alkylhydroquinone glucoside, 1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-1,4-dihydroxy-2-((E) 2-oxo-3-butenyl)benzene (1), in addition to nine known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass. (Asteraceae). Their structures were identified based on spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), UV spectral analyses and by comparison with literature data. The cytotoxic activity of three isolated compounds (1–3) was evaluated against fibrosarcoma (HT1080), human lung cancer (A549) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines.     

A convenient and diastereoselective route to homoallyl alcohols: Addition of (z)- or (e)-alkenyl-dimethoxyboranes to aldehydes

(Z)-2-Butenyl-dimethoxyborane adds smoothly to propanal and benzaldehyde to afford the homoallyl alcohols (R*,R*)- 1 and (R*,R*)- 2 , In contrast (E)-2-butenyl-dimethoxyborane leads to adducts having the (R*,S*)-configuration. Dimethoxy-(Z)-2-pentenylborane, dimethoxy-(Z)-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)borane and (2Z,4E)-or (2E,4Z)hexadienyl-dimethoxyborane, treated with propanal, give (R*,R*)- 3 , (R*,R*)- 4 , (E),(R*,S*)- 5 and (Z),(R*, R*)- 5 , respectively. A transition state model implying a pericyclic electron motion is in perfect agreement with the regio- and stereoselective outcome of these borane reactions.     

Synthesis of naturally occurring diene and trienes by Te/Li exchange on (1Z,3Z)-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene

(1Z,3Z)-Butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 was obtained by the hydrotelluration of (Z)-1-methoxy-but-1-en-3-ynes 1. The butadienyllithium 3 obtained by the Te/Li exchange reaction in the (1Z,3Z)-1-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 reacted with aldehydes to form the corresponding alcohols 4a-d with total retention of configuration. The alcohols formed undergo hydrolysis, resulting in the α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes of (E,E) configuration, which are precursors of trienes obtained from natural sources. The products of this reaction were employed in the synthesis of methyl-(2E,4E)-decadienoate 7, which is a component of the flavor principles of ripe Bartlett pears. Performing the Wittig reaction of the methyl triphenylphosphorane with the deca-(2E,4E)-dienal 5a, we were able to synthesize the undeca-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6a. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown algae Fucus serratus, Dictyopteris plagiograma, and Dictyopteris australis. Performing the Wittig reaction of methyl triphenylphosphorane with the octa-(2E,4E)-dienal 5c, the nona-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6b was synthesized. The compound obtained is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Sargassum horneri. The octa-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6c was easily obtained from hepta-(2E,4E)-dienal 5d by the Wittig reaction with methyl triphenylphophorane. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Fucus serratus.     

Reactions of azulene and guaiazulene with all-trans-retinal and trans-cinnamaldehyde: comparative studies on spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of monocarbenium-ions stabilized by expanded π-electron systems with an azulenyl or 3-guaiazulenyl group

Reaction of azulene (1) with all-trans-retinal in diethyl ether in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid at −10 °C for 1 h in a dark room gives the corresponding monocarbenium-ion compound, (2E,4E,6E,8E)-1-azulenyl-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphate (3), in 74% isolated yield. The spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of 3 compared with those of the previously-documented (2E,4E,6E,8E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphate (4) are reported. Along with the above delocalized monocarbenium-ion compounds 3 and 4, stabilized by the expanded π-electron systems possessing an azulenyl (or 3-guaiazulenyl) group, an efficient preparation as well as the spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of (2E)-1-azulenyl-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ylium and (2E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphates (5 and 6) (90 and 96% isolated yields), having a similar partial structure [i.e., the (2E)-1-azulenyl-2-propen-1-ylium-ion or (2E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-2-propen-1-ylium-ion part] to those of 3 and 4, is documented. Moreover, the crystal structure of 6, whose carbenium-ion framework is planar, is shown.     

Synthesis and structure of trifluoromethylated arylhydrazones formed from coupling of 4-(dimethylamino)-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one with diazonium salts

A series of trifluoromethyl-containing arylhydrazones were prepared via a direct azo-coupling of (E)-4-(dimethylamino)-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one (1) with different aromatic diazonium salts. Furthermore, we also discussed the non-covalent interactions existing in the crystal structure of compound (E)-4,4,4-trifluoro-2-(2-(4-iodophenyl)hydrazono)-3-oxobutanal (3c) by the X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Supramolecular Photochirogenesis. 3. Enantiodifferentiating Photoisomerization of Cyclooctene Included and Sensitized by 6-O-Mono(o-methoxybenzoyl)–cyclodextrin

Supramolecular enantiodifferentiating photoisomerization of (Z)-cyclooctene (1Z) to chiral (E)-isomer (1E) through inclusion and sensitization by 6-O-mono(o-methoxybenzoyl)--cyclodextrin (2) was investigated in water and in aqueous methanol solutions at various temperatures. A dramatic inversion of the product chirality was observed to occur by simply changing the solvent from water to methanol. Thus, the supramolecular photosensitization in aqueous solution gave (R)-(–)-1E in 15% enantiomeric excess (ee), whereas in methanol the antipodal (S)-(+)-1E was obtained in 5% ee. The temperature and solvent dependencies of the product ee are discussed.     

The detection and mapping of the spatial distribution of insect defense compounds by desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry

Many insects use chemicals synthesized in exocrine glands and stored in reservoirs to protect themselves. Two chemically defended insects were used as models for the development of a new rapid analytical method based on desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry (DAPPI-MS). The distribution of defensive chemicals on the insect body surface was studied. Since these chemicals are predominantly nonpolar, DAPPI was a suitable analytical method. Repeatability of DAPPI-MS signals and effects related to non-planarity and roughness of samples were investigated using acrylic sheets uniformly covered with an analyte. After that, analytical figures of merit of the technique were determined. The spatial distribution of (E)-1-nitropentadec-1-ene, a toxic nitro compound synthesized by soldiers of the termite Prorhinotermes simplex, was investigated. Then, the spatial distribution of the unsaturated aldehydes (E)-hex-2-enal, (E)-4-oxohex-2-enal, (E)-oct-2-enal, (E,E)-deca-2,4-dienal and (E)-dec-2-enal was monitored in the stink bug Graphosoma lineatum. Chemicals present on the body surface were scanned along the median line of the insect from the head to the abdomen and vice versa, employing either the MS or MS² mode. In this fast and simple way, the opening of the frontal gland on the frons of termite soldiers and the position of the frontal gland reservoir, extending deep into the abdominal cavity, were localized. In the stink bug, the opening of the metathoracic scent glands (ostiole) on the ventral side of the thorax as well as the gland reservoir in the median position under the ventral surface of the anterior abdomen were detected and localized. The developed method has future prospects in routine laboratory use in life sciences.     

Synthesis and odor of optically active trans-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketones and their related compounds

The synthesis characterized by cationic olefin cyclizations accomplished using ketone enol esters and odor of novel (1R,6S)- and (1S,6R)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketones (5) are described. The stereoselective syntheses of (E)-(1R,6S)- and (E)-(1S,6R)-1-(2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl)-2-buten-1-one (6) and (1R,6S)-ethyl 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexylcarboxylate (7), useful raw materials for flavor and fragrance, starting from the (1R,6S)- and (1S,6R)-5 are also described.     

Reversible nonlinear conduction behavior for high‐density polyethylene/graphite powder composites near the percolation threshold

The reversible nonlinear conduction (RNC) behavior of high‐density polyethylene/graphite powder composites with various graphite powder volume concentrations slightly above the threshold has been studied. The relationships between the current density (J) and electric field (E) of the composites, as shown in J(E) curves, can be well described by the scaling functions of J/J_c ～ (E/E_c) when E < E_c and J/J_c ～ (E/E_c) when E > E_c, where J_c is the crossover current density and E_c is the crossover electric field. The results indicate that J_c scales with the linear conductivity σ₀ as J_c ～ σ. It is believed that the macroscopic RNC is a combined result of the microscopic conduction processes, involving electronic transporting along carbon chains and tunneling or hopping across thin polymer bridges. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2833–2842, 2001     

Enantioselective homoallyl-cyclopropanation of dibenzylideneacetone by modified allylindium halide reagents—rapid access to enantioenriched 1-styryl-norcarene

Dibenzylideneacetone (8) reacts with in situ-generated allylindium halide reagents to yield the product of a homoallyl-cyclopropanation reaction: 2-(3″-butenyl)-1,1-bis[(E)-2′-phenylethenyl]cyclopropane (9), which proceeds via step-wise cleavage of the CO bond and delivery of two allyl fragments from the reagent. A range of enantiomerically enriched ligands have been tested as stoichiometric asymmetric modifiers for this process. Enantiopure compounds such as cinchona alkaloids, ephedra, aminoalcohols and tartaric acid derivatives, which have proven of utility as asymmetric modifiers for the indium-mediated allylation of aldehydes and ketones, were very inefficient in the process 8→9. However, mandelic acid derivatives, in particular mandelates, were found to be of significant potential. The absolute stereochemistry of the cyclopropane 9 has been determined by degradation to 1,1-dicarboxymethyl-2-butylcyclopropane, converging with an independent enantioselective synthesis starting from hexene. Under optimised conditions, viz. using allylindium iodide reagents and working-up with aqueous Na₂SO₃ to avoid iodine-mediated polymerisation, (S)-9 can be generated in 86% yield and with (S)-methyl mandelate as modifier useful enantiopurity (94/6 er) was observed. The cyclopropane product ((S)-9) undergoes RCM using standard conditions to afford a norcarene unit ((1S,6S)-1-(E)-2′-(phenylethenyl)-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-2-ene) without loss of enantiopurity.     

On the stereochemistry of the Horner—Emmons reaction between 3-functionally substituted 2-methyl-2-propenylphosphonates and aliphatic aldehydes

The reaction of diethyl 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-2-propenylphosphonate (1a) with 3-methylbutanal (2) in heterogeneous MOH (solid)-benzene systems in the presence of 5–10 mol.% of benzyltriethylammonium chloride (BTEAC) gives the reaction product (3) with a higher, for M=K, or lower, for M=Li, ratio of 2E,4E and 2Z,4E-stereoisomers than that observed in the absence of BTEAC. Tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as a catalyst of the reaction1a + 2 3 in the system KOH (solid)-wet benzene leads to a higher [2E,4E-3][2Z,4E-3] ratio than BTEAC; this ratio grows from 4456 without TBAB to 8020 at 100 mol.% of TBAB. In the latter case the stereochemical outcome of the reaction is similar to that obtained when tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in dry benzene is used as the deprotonating agent. The corresponding diisopropyl phosphonate (1b) and 3,7-dimethyloctanal (4a) interact in the system KOH (solid)-wet benzene-TBAB to give hydroprene (5) containing 88 % of the 2E,4E-isomer (5a) while in the case of 1 equiv. of [(n-Bu₄)N]OH in dry benzene the content of5a is 92 %. Diisopropyl 3-isopropoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-2-propenylphosphonate (1c) and 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal (4b) under either of these conditions afford methoprene (6) containing 93 % of the 2E,4E-isomer.Part 6, see ref. 1.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1094–1098, June, 1993.     

On the mechanism of the Fe(CO)5-catalyzed Kharasch reaction

Regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity of the addition of BrCCl₃ to (R)-3-(E)-cinnamoyl-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one (1) and (R)-3-(E)-acryloyl-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one (2) catalyzed by Fe(CO)₅ or initiated with benzoyl peroxide were investigated. Stereochemistry of the reaction of BrCCl₃ with the a-complexes (4R,S,S)-²-(3-(E)-cinnamoyl-4-phenyl-oxazolidin-2-one)irontetracarbonyl (3a) and (4R,R)-²-(3-acryloyl-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one)irontetracarbonyl (4b) was also studied. The results obtained allow the following conclusions to be drawn: (1) the thermal Kharasch reaction catalyzed by Fe(CO)₅ proceeds by a redox catalysis mechanism; (2) iron (in any of its oxidation states) is not coordinated to olefins in the transition state of the reaction; (3) the transfer of the halogen atom on the radical adduct probably occurs inside a radical-iron cation pair.Yu. T. Struchkov is deceasedTranslated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 640–648, March, 1996.     

New lipids from the soft corals of the Andaman Islands

Sphingolipids and glycolipids including previously unknown (2S,3S,4R)-1,3,4-trihydroxy-2-(2-(R)-hydroxyoctadecanoylamino)octadec-8E-ene, (2S,3R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-octadecanoylamino-4E,8E-hexadecadiene, and (2-hydroxy-3-hexadecyloxypropyl)--L-fucopyranoside were isolated from soft corals collected on the shelf near the Andaman Islands (Indian Ocean). The structures of all compounds were established by spectroscopic methods and chemical analyses. The lipids possessed antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae, and Candida albicans.     

Synthesis of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles

Abstract  An efficient synthesis method for the preparation of a series of new (Z)- and (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles was developed. The reaction of (Z)- and (E)-3-styrylchromones with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding (Z)- and (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles, except for nitro derivatives, where both (Z)- and (E)-4′-nitro-3-styrylchromones afforded (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles. The reaction mechanism for these transformations is discussed and the stereochemistries of all products were established by NMR experiments. Graphical abstract