Identification of novel substituted fused aromatic compounds, meshimakobnol A and B, from natural Phellinus linteus fruit body

Novel 1H,6H-pyranyl[4,3-c][2]benzopyrane-1,6-diones, meshimakobnol A and B, were isolated from natural Phellinus linteus fruit body. The structure elucidation of these fused aromatic compounds was achieved by a spectroscopic method including the measurement of FG-HMBC with various delay times.     

New pentacyclic cyclol-type naphthohydroquinone from the roots of Pentas bussei

The novel naphthohydroquinone, methyl 5,10-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,1,3a-trimethyl-1a,2,3,3a,10c,10d-hexahydro-1H-4-oxacyclobuta[cd]indeno[5,6-a]naphthalene-9-carboxylate 2, was isolated from the hexane extract of dried roots of Pentas bussei. Its structure elucidation was done by detailed spectroscopic methods. It is the first cyclol moiety containing naphthohydroquinone to be reported, and a novel natural product from P. bussei.     

Isomerization and ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of 6-, 7- and 8-membered benzo- and pyrido-fused N,N-, N,O- and N,S-heterocycles

An isomerization-ring-closing metathesis (RCM) strategy afforded N-substituted 4H-1,4-benzoxazines from the protected N-allyl-2-(allyloxy)anilines. In addition, RCM was used to synthesize the N-substituted, 8-membered benzo-fused heterocycles from the respective diallyl compounds: 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,6-benzodiazocine, 5,6-dihydro-2H-1,6-benzoxazocine, 5,6,9,10-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-b][1,4]diazocine and 5,6-dihydro-2H-1,6-benzothiazocine 1,1-dioxide. The isomerization-RCM approach also afforded the 7-membered ring system, 2,5-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepine 1,1-dioxide, from the protected N-allyl-2-(allylsulfonyl)aniline. Furthermore, the structure of 1,6-bis[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,6-benzodiazocine was confirmed by a single crystal X-ray determination.     

Synthesis of 1,6-dihydro-1,6-dihydroxybenzo[1,2-d:3,4-d′]bistriazole, 4- and 5-nitro-1,6-dihydro-1,6-dihydroxybenzo[1,2-d:3,4-d′]bistriazole and 4,7-dihydro-1,4,7-trihydroxy-1H-benzo-[1,2-d:3,4-d′:5,6-d″]tris[1,2,3]triazole

1,6-Dihydro-1,6-dihydroxybenzo[1,2-d:3,4-d′]bistriazole and 4- and 5-nitro-1,6-dihydro-1,6-dihydroxybenzo[1,2-d:3,4-d′]bistriazole were synthesized starting from 2,4-dinitrosore-sorcinol, whereas 4,7-dihydro-1,4,7-trihydroxy-1H-benzo[1,2-d:3,4-d′:5,6-d″]tris[1,2,3]-triazole was synthesized starting from phloroglucinol. The reaction of trinitrosophloroglucinol with hydrazine hydrate in acetic acid led to 2,4,6-tridiazocyclohexane-1,3,5-trione.     

Kansuinone, a novel euphane-type triterpene from Euphorbia kansui

Kansuinone (1), a rearranged euphane triterpenoid containing a spiro [5,6] ring system, was isolated from the roots of Euphorbia kansui. Its structure and stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic, CD, and computational methods. Kansuinone (1) exhibited inhibitory activity against human and mouse 11β-HSD1 (11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1), with IC₅₀ values of 1.12 and 1.08 μM, respectively.     

Synthesis of spiro-fused (C5)-pyrazolino-(C6)-triazinones, a new heterocyclic system

Reaction of 4-hydrazinoquinazoline with 2,4-diketoesters gives the corresponding 3-acylmethyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazino[2,3-c]quinazolin-2-ones in a one-step procedure via cyclocondensation-Dimroth-like rearrangement. Spectroscopic studies as well as X-ray analysis reveal that the obtained triazinoquinazolines exist in their ketoimine tautomeric form. Treatment of these compounds with hydrazine hydrate affords 3′-(2-aminophenyl)-3-(het)aryl-spiro[pyrazoline-5,6′(1′H)-1,2,4-triazin]-5′(4′H)-ones or 5-(het)arylpyrazole-3-carboxylic acid hydrazides depending on the reaction conditions. The structure of the spiro-heterocycles was elucidated by means of single-crystal X-ray analysis and confirmed by spectroscopic investigations.     

Novel heterocyclic Tröger's base derivatives containing N-methylpyrrole units

Novel analogues of Tröger's base were prepared regioselectively from 4-amino-N-methylpyrrole carboxylates in good yield. Catalytic hydrogenation of dibenzyl-4,9-methano-1,6-dimethyl-4,5,9,10-tetrahydro-1H,6H-dipyrrolo-[3,2-b:3′,2′-f][1,5]diazocin-2,7-dicarboxylate 2b led to 4,9-methano-1,6-dimethyl-4,5,9,10-tetrahydro-1H,6H-dipyrrolo-[3,2-b:3′,2′-f][1,5]diazocin-2,7-dicarboxylic acid 3 which was used for the preparation of Tröger's base derivatives of natural antibiotics via an amide protocol. The novel heterocyclic Tröger's bases were characterized by a variety of spectroscopic techniques and compound 2b by X-ray crystallography. Incorporation of guanidine as the terminal group in the N-methylpyrrole Tröger's base skeleton opens the possibility for preparation of water soluble derivatives.     

2-Oxobenzo[h]chromene: a novel entry for the synthesis of functionalized angular polycyclic azaarenes

An efficient and short synthesis of (5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-2-ylidene)acetonitriles, (5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]pyrazino[2,1-b]quinazolin-2-ylidene)acetonitriles and (5,6-dihydrobenzimidazo[1,2-b]benzo[f]isoquinolin-7-yl)acetonitriles in good yields is delineated through base catalyzed ring transformation of 4-(piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitriles with 2-amino-pyridine, 2-aminopyrazine and (imidazo-2-yl)acetonitrile.     

A non-catalytic approach to the synthesis of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinolines

A concise synthesis of highly functionalized 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinoline-3-carbonitriles is delineated through base induced ring transformation of 4-sec-amino-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitriles with S-methylisothiourea sulfate and 1-carboxamidinepyrazole hydrochloride, separately, in DMF. Under analogous reaction conditions the ring transformation of 4-sec-amino-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitriles by formamidine acetate provided 4-sec-amino-benzo[h]quinoline-3-carbonitriles in moderate yields, while with benzamidine hydrochloride, the reaction followed the same mechanism to yield 2-phenyl-4-sec-amino-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinoline-3-carbonitriles.     

Synthesis of 6-amino-6-deoxy-d-gulono-1,6-lactam and l-gulono-1,6-lactam derived from corresponding 5,6-O-sulfinyl hexono-1,4-lactones

Syntheses of 6-amino-6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-gulono- and l-gulono-1,6-lactams 3 and 4 from corresponding glycono-1,4-lactones are described. Activation of the primary hydroxyl group requires 5,6-cyclic sulfite intermediate to obtain 6-azido-6-deoxy derivatives, which are cyclized after reduction.     

Polyhydroxylated macrolide isolated from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis mangiferae

A new polyhydroxylated macrolide, named mangiferaelactone (1) was isolated from a solid culture of the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis manguiferae, together with ten known compounds [(6S,1′S)-LL-P880α; (6S,1′S,2′R)-LL-P880β; (1′S,2′R)-LL-880γ; (1′R)-dehydropestalotin; (−)-5-carboxylmellein; (−)-5-methylmellein; (−)-5-hydroxylmethylmellein; arabenoic acid; 5,6-dihydro-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one; and the (−)-2-hexylidene-3-methylsuccinic acid]. P. manguiferae was isolated from Hyptis dilatata, a small shrub common in the central region of Panama. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, optical rotation, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy). The absolute configuration of 1 was established as 4R,7R,8R,9S by application of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). Compound 1 showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.6863 mg/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, and 0.5529 mg/mL against Bacillus cereus. No activity was observed for compound 1 against Plasmodium falciparum or Trypanosoma cruzi; likewise, no cytotoxic activity was observed against A2058 and H522-T1 cells.     

Two new isoflavonoids from the rhizomes of Belamcanda chinensis

Two new isoflavonoids, 6-methoxy-5,7,8,4'-tetrahydryoxyisoflavone (1) and 4'-methoxy -5,6-dihydroxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), were isolated from the rhizomes of Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic evidence including ID NMR, 2D NMR, MS and IR spectra.     

Novel fluoro-substituted benzo- and benzothieno fused pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones

A straightforward, two-step synthesis of fluoro substituted chromeno[2,3-c]pyrazol- and [1]benzothieno[2′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones, respectively, is presented. Hence, treatment of 1-substituted or 1,3-disubstituted 2-pyrazolin-5-ones with fluoro substituted 2-fluorobenzoyl chlorides or 3-chloro-6-fluoro-1-benzothiophene-2-carbonyl chloride using calcium hydroxide in refluxing 1,4-dioxane gave the corresponding 4-aroylpyrazol-5-ols, which were cyclized into the fused ring systems. 5-Fluorochromeno[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one was obtained upon treatment of the 1-(4-methoxybenzyl) protected congener with trifluoroacetic acid. Treatment of 5-fluorochromeno[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones with methylhydrazine afforded novel tetracyclic ring systems such as 2-methyl-7-phenyl-2,7-dihydropyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[4,3,2-cd]indazole. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁹F) with the obtained compounds were undertaken.     

Cobalt(II) and silver(I) coordination polymers constructed from flexible bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole) and substituted isophthalate co-ligands

Two coordination polymers, [Co(L1)(IPA] _n (1) and {[Ag(L2)(HMIPA)]·H₂O} _n (2) (H₂IPA = isophthalic acid, L1 = 1,2-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H₂MIPA = 5-methylisophthalic acid, L2 = 1,6-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-yl)hexane, have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, six-coordinated cobalt centers are bridged by L1 and IPA^2? ligands to generate a (4,4) two-dimensional layer. However, complex 2 features a 1D chain structure, which is further extended by O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions into a 2D supramolecular layer with (6³) topology. The fluorescence and thermal gravimetric analysis of both complexes were also explored. Furthermore, the complexes 1 and 2 exhibit remarkable catalytic properties for the degradation of methyl orange dyes in a Fenton-like process.     

Concise synthesis of multiply substituted stereodefined cis,cis-2,4-diene-1,6-dials, cis,cis-2,4-diene-1,6-diols and further applications

Reactions of 1,4-dilithio-1,3-dienes with DMF afforded multiply substituted stereodefined cis,cis-2,4-diene-1,6-dials in high yields. Treatment of these 1,6-dials with LiAlH₄ or RLi resulted in the formation of their corresponding 1,6-diols. These bifunctional compounds, cis,cis-2,4-diene-1,6-dials and -1,6-diols are otherwise not readily available. Further reaction of these 1,6-diols with an aldehyde catalyzed by strong acids led to the formation of oxacycles of novel structures.     

Formation of an unexpected rearrangement product using Grubbs’ second generation catalyst: 2-allyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzothiazines from diene precursors

Application of sub-stoichiometric amounts of Grubbs’ second generation catalyst to the substrate N-allyl-N-[2-(allylsulfanyl)phenyl]-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide afforded the ring-closed compound 6-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-1,6-benzothiazocine, as well as the unexpected 2-allyl-4-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzothiazine. Use of similar conditions on an analogous sulfoxide resulted in the expected product, 6-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-1,6-benzothiazocine 1-oxide, indicating that the sulfide was playing a key role in this novel transformation. Furthermore, the use of N-allyl-4-methyl-N-{2-[(2-methyl-2-propenyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}-benzenesulfonamide in the same reaction gave 2-(2-methyl-2-propenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzothiazine.     

Excavatoids A-D, new polyoxygenated briaranes from the octocoral Briareum excavatum

Three polyoxygenated briaranes, including two new compounds, excavatoids A (1) and B (2), and a known metabolite, briaexcavatin I (3), were isolated from the cultured octocoral Briareum excavatum. Moreover, the wild type B. excavatum, collected off southern Taiwan coast, yielded two new 5,6-epoxybriaranes, excavatoids C (4) and D (5). The structures of new compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 were determined by spectroscopic methods and the structure of 1 was further confirmed by X-ray diffraction data analysis. The X-ray structure for briaexcavatin I (3) was also reported for the first time. Excavatoid A (1) is the first briarane which possesses six hydroxy groups and a 17-methoxy group. Excavatoid C (4) is the first 12,13-secobriarane which possesses a novel pentacyclic skeleton with an ?-lactone. Excavatoid D (5) displayed moderate inhibitory effects on superoxide anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils.     

Two additional 1,9-diarylnonanoid 3-glucosides from Erica cinerea among which an unusual α-dione in conformational equilibrium

Continuation of the phytochemical analysis of Erica cinerea fresh aerial parts resulted in the isolation of two new compounds with a very close chromatographic behavior. On the basis of spectroscopic evidence (UV, MS and NMR), the structures were established as (−)-(3S,6E)-1,9-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxynon-6-en-5-one 3-O-β-d-glucoside named 6,7-anhydroericaone 3-O-β-d-glucoside and (−)-(3S)-1,9-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxynonan-5,6-dione 3-O-β-d-glucoside named α-ericadione 3-O-β-d-glucoside. Unanticipated by its α-alkadione type structure —a very unusual feature in the plant kingdom— the latter metabolite was found as a mixture of the minor s-cis and the major s-trans conformers. Moreover, the GC-MS analysis of the aglycone moieties of such glucosides, pointed out the permanent absence of the molecular ion and the constant hydroxybenzylium base peak, as well as the conversion of the α-dione into the major α-keto-enol tautomer.     

Production and Structural Diversification of Withanolides by Aeroponic Cultivation of Plants of Solanaceae: Cytotoxic and Other Withanolides from Aeroponically Grown Physalis coztomatl

Withanolides constitute one of the most interesting classes of natural products due to their diversity of structures and biological activities. Our recent studies on withanolides obtained from plants of Solanaceae including Withania somnifera and a number of Physalis species grown under environmentally controlled aeroponic conditions suggested that this technique is a convenient, reproducible, and superior method for their production and structural diversification. Investigation of aeroponically grown Physalis coztomatl afforded 29 withanolides compared to a total of 13 obtained previously from the wild-crafted plant and included 12 new withanolides, physacoztolides I−M (9–13), 15α-acetoxy-28-hydroxyphysachenolide C (14), 28-oxophysachenolide C (15), and 28-hydroxyphysachenolide C (16), 5α-chloro-6β-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrophysachenolide D (17), 15α-acetoxy-5α-chloro-6β-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrophysachenolide D (18), 28-hydroxy-5α-chloro-6β-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrophysachenolide D (19), physachenolide A-5-methyl ether (20), and 17 known withanolides 3–5, 8, and 21–33. The structures of 9–20 were elucidated by the analysis of their spectroscopic data and the known withanolides 3–5, 8, and 21–33 were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported. Evaluation against a panel of prostate cancer (LNCaP, VCaP, DU-145, and PC-3) and renal carcinoma (ACHN) cell lines, and normal human foreskin fibroblast (WI-38) cells revealed that 8, 13, 15, and 17–19 had potent and selective activity for prostate cancer cell lines. Facile conversion of the 5,6-chlorohydrin 17 to its 5,6-epoxide 8 in cell culture medium used for the bioassay suggested that the cytotoxic activities observed for 17–19 may be due to in situ formation of their corresponding 5β,6β-epoxides, 8, 27, and 28.     

Aphapolynins A and B, two new limonoids from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya

Two new highly oxidized A,B-seco limonoids, aphapolynins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, in particular, the absolute configuration of aphapolynin A was determined by a single-crystal X-ray study using a mirror Cu Kα radiation. Aphapolynin A exhibit moderate cytotoxicities when tested against a panel of tumor cell lines.