Three Novel Triterpenoid Dienolides from Phyllanthus myrtifolius

Three novel pentacyclic triterpenoid dienolides, phyllenolide A (=3β‐acetoxyglutina‐5(10), 6‐dien‐27,8α‐olide; 1 ), phyllenolide B (=3β‐(benzoyloxy)glutina‐5(10),6‐dien‐27,8α‐olide; 2 ), and phyllenolide C (=3β‐(2‐hydroxybenzoyloxy)glutina‐5(10),6‐dien‐27,8α‐olide; 3 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Phyllanthus myrtifolius Moon . (Euphorbiaceae). These three compounds possess an endocyclic γ‐lactone moiety across ring C and a homo‐annular diene system in ring B. Their structures were established by analyses of CD, NOED, and 2D‐NMR spectra.     

Paecilomycines A and B,Novel Diterpenoids,Isolated from Insect‐Pathogenic Fungi Paecilomyces sp. ACCC 37762

Two new diterpenoids, named paecilomycine A ( 1 ) and paecilomycine B ( 2 ), including a novel skeleton with a five‐membered lactone ring, together with three known labdane diterpenoids, rel‐(1R,3S,4aS,5R,8aS)‐5‐[(3E)‐4‐carboxy‐3‐methylbut‐3‐en‐1‐yl]decahydro‐3‐hydroxy‐1,4a‐dimethyl‐6‐methylidenenaphthalene‐1‐carboxylic acid ( 3 ), botryosphaerin E ( 4 ), and agathic acid ( 5 ), were isolated from solid culture of the insect pathogenic fungi strain Paecilomyces sp. The structures of all compounds were established on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic studies. The relative configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

Baeckeins A and B,Two Novel 6‐Methylflavonoids from the Roots of Baeckea frutescens

A pair of novel isomeric 6‐methylflavonoids, named baeckeins A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), were isolated from the roots of Baeckea frutescens. The two compounds possess a unique C₂₃ skeleton, resulting from the 6‐methylation and 8‐arylation of a flavonol (=3‐hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one) framework and the formation of an unusual lactone ring E. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including HR‐ESI‐MS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data (HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY). A plausible biogenetic pathway for compounds 1 and 2 is also proposed (Scheme).     

Unusual Guaiane Sesquiterpenoids from Artemisia rupestris

Two new guaiane sesquiterpenoids, (1β,5β)‐1‐hydroxyguaia‐4(15),11(13)‐dieno‐12,5‐lactone ( 1 ) and 1,5‐epoxy‐4‐hydroxyguai‐11(13)‐en‐12‐oic acid ( 2 ), together with five known compounds, rupestonic acid ( 3 ), strobilactone A ( 4 ), antiquorin ( 5 ), isosclerone ( 6 ), and 5‐hydroxy‐2′,3′,4′,7,8‐pentamethoxyflavone ( 7 ), were isolated from a 95% EtOH extract of Artemisia rupestris. Compounds 1 and 2 are rare examples of guaiane sesquiterpenoids, incorporating a 12,5‐lactone group or featuring a 1,5‐epoxy ring, respectively. The structures of 1 and 2 were identified by various spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 4 , and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against the human lung cancer 95‐D cell line with IC₅₀ values of 11.3, 19.8, and 34.5 μM , respectively.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of a Polyfunctionalized Tetracycle Related to Pentacyclic Triterpenes by Using an Anionic Cycloaddition Reaction

Herein we report a convergent enantioselective synthesis of a polyfunctionalized ABCD tetracycle by using an anionic cycloaddition reaction between a chiral bicyclic CD Nazarov intermediate (see 6 ), derived from the (?)‐Weiland–Mischer ketone, and an achiral cyclohexenone (see 5 ) adequately functionalized to furnish the ring A of pentacyclic triterpenes (Scheme 5). The chiral bicyclic CD Nazarov intermediate forms ring B upon cycloaddition with the achiral cyclohexenone to yield an ABCD tetracycle with a cis‐anti‐trans‐anti‐trans configuration (see 4 ). Further transformations on this adduct allowed reduction of the angular aldehyde function at C(10) to a Me group (→ 17 ) and introduction of an unsaturation at C(5)? C(6) by using the ketone function at C(7) (→ 3 ; Scheme 6).     

Synthesis,Properties, and Two‐Dimensional Adsorption Characteristics of 5‐Amino[6]hexahelicene

A convergent synthesis of racemic 5‐amino[6]hexahelicene is described. Cross‐coupling reactions are used to assemble a pentacyclic framework, and a metal‐catalyzed ring‐closure comprises the final step. The enantiomers were separated by means of chromatography and the absolute configurations were assigned by comparison of the CD spectra with hexahelicene. The t_1/2 value for racemization at 210 °C was approximately 1 hour. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements were carried out on enantiopure and racemic samples of aminohelicene on Au(111) under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions.     

Penicillilactone A,a novel antibacterial 7-membered lactone derivative from the sponge-associated fungus Penicillium sp. LS54

One novel 7-membered lactone derivative, penicillilactone A (1), together with two known compounds, rugulosin A (2) and rugulosin (3) were isolated from the sponge-derived fungus Penicillium sp. LS54. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Remarkably, penicillilactone A (1) is the first natural product containing a 7-membered lactone ring fused with a furan core. Penicillilactone A (1) exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against aquatic pathogen Vibrio harveyi with an MIC value of 8 μg/mL.     

Trangmolins A–F with an Unprecedented Structural Plasticity of the Rings A and B: New Insight into Limonoid Biosynthesis

The absolute stereostructures of trangmolins A–F ( 1 – 6 ), limonoids with three new and one known topologies of the rings A and B, were unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopic investigations, single‐crystal XRD analysis, and quantum‐chemical electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 1 – 3 contain a hexahydro‐1H‐inden‐4‐one motif, compound 4 comprises a hexahydro‐2,6‐methanobenzofuran‐7‐one cage, and compound 5 consists of a hexahydro‐2H‐2,8‐epoxychromene scaffold. The C1?C30 linkage in 1 – 3 and the C3?C30 connection in 4 form two unprecedented types of ring A/B‐fused carbobicyclic cores: viii and ix . The oxidative cleavage of the C2?C3 bond in 5 and heterocyclization in 4 and 5 constitute the unprecedented tricyclic 6/6/5 ring A/B¹/B²‐ and 6/5/6 ring A¹A²/B‐fused topologies, respectively, which are uncovered, for the first time, in the construction of limonoid architectures. The diverse cyclization patterns of 1 – 6 reveal an unparalleled structural plasticity of rings A and B in limonoid biosynthesis.     

Bipolarolides A–G: Ophiobolin‐Derived Sesterterpenes with Three New Carbon Skeletons from Bipolaris sp. TJ403‐B1

Bipolarolides A–G ( 1 – 7 ), seven novel ophiobolin‐derived sesterterpenes with three new types of skeletons, were characterized from fungus Bipolaris sp. TJ403‐B1. Their structures were determined via spectroscopic analyses, X‐ray crystallography, and quantum chemical ¹³C NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 were uniquely defined by a multicyclic caged oxapentacyclo[9.3.0.0^1,6.0^5,9.1^8,12]pentadecane‐bridged system. Compounds 3 and 4 featured an unprecedented 5‐5‐5‐5‐fused core skeleton, while 3 also contained an unexpected C‐3–C‐14 oxygen bridge to construct the caged architecture. Compounds 5 – 7 form a new class of highly modified pentacyclic oxaspiro[4.4]nonane‐containing sesterterpene‐alkaloid hybrids. Their biosynthetic pathways and potential HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities are also discussed.     

Bisabolane‐Type Sesquiterpenoids from the Rhizomes of Glochidion coccineum

A novel bisabolane‐type sesquiterpenoid lactone, glochicoccin A ( 1 ), and three new norbisabolane sesquiterpenoids, glochicoccins B–D ( 2 – 4 ), together with two known norbisabolane sesquiterpenoids, phyllaemblic acid ( 5 ) and phyllaemblic acid methyl ester ( 6 ), were isolated from the rhizomes of Glochidion coccineum. Their structures were elucidated by different spectroscopic (IR, UV, NMR) and mass‐spectrometric (MS) techniques. The structure and relative configuration of 1 was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (Fig. 2). None of the compounds were found to exhibit cytotoxic or antioxidant activities.     

Total Synthesis of the Alkaloid (±)‐Aspidophytine Based on Carbonyl Ylide Cycloaddition Chemistry

The Rh^II‐catalyzed cycloaddition cascade of an indolyl‐substituted α‐diazo imide was used for the total synthesis of the complex pentacyclic alkaloid (±)‐aspidophytine. Treatment of the resulting dipolar cycloadduct with BF₃?OEt₂ induces a domino fragmentation cascade. The reaction proceeds by an initial cleavage of the oxabicyclic ring and formation of a transient N‐acyl iminium ion which reacts further with the adjacent tert‐butyl ester and sets the required lactone ring present in aspidophytine. A three‐step sequence was then used to remove both the ester and OH groups. Subsequent functional group manipulations allowed for the high‐yielding conversion to (±)‐aspidophytine.     

Terpenes from Schisandra sphenanthera

One novel, highly oxygenated nortriterpenoid, schintrilactone C ( 1 ), and four known compounds, 2 – 5 , were isolated from the rattan of Schisandra sphenanthera. Their structures were determined by analysis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic data. Schintrilactone C is the third example of wuweiziartane‐type nortriterpenoids, bearing a modified five‐membered D ring, a δ‐lactone E ring, and a spirocyclic moiety in the side chain at C(13).     

Lindleyanin and Bergapten‐8‐yl Sulfate from Pleurospermum lindleyanum

A novel cyclobutane‐type lignan with a six‐membered lactone ring, named lindleyanin ( 1 ), and a novel furocoumarinyl sulfate, named bergapten‐8‐yl sulfate ( 2 ), along with 7 known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Pleurospermum lindleyanum. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral techniques and X‐ray crystallographic analysis of 2 .     

Total Syntheses of Daphenylline,Daphnipaxianine A,and Himalenine D

We report the total syntheses of daphenylline ( 1 ), daphnipaxianine A ( 5 ), and himalenine D ( 6 ), three Daphniphyllum alkaloids from the calyciphylline A subfamily. A pentacyclic triketone was prepared by using atom‐transfer radical cyclization and the Lu [3+2] cycloaddition as key steps. Inspired by the proposed biosynthetic relationship between 1 and another calyciphylline A type alkaloid, we developed a ring‐expansion/aromatization/aldol cascade to construct the tetrasubstituted benzene moiety of 1 . The versatile triketone intermediate was also elaborated into 5 and 6 through a C=C bond migration/aldol cyclization approach.     

Sterols from the Fungus Catathelasma imperiale

Eight ergostane-type sterols and three their derivatives (one mono-linoleate and two mono-glucosides) were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the fungus Catathelasma imperi.a/e. Two of them are novel compounds, namely 22E,24R-er-gosta-7,22-diene-3β ,5α-diol-6β-linoleate (1) and 22E, 24R-er-gosta-7,22-diene-3β, 5β, 6α-triol (5) with an uncommon c/s-fused A/B ring. Structures of these compounds were demon-strated on the basis of their chemical evidences and spectroscop-ic methods, especially 2D NMR techniques.     

Isolation and Synthesis of Novel Meroterpenoids from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa: Investigation of a Reactive Enetrione Intermediate

Rhodomyrtusials A–C, the first examples of triketone‐sesquiterpene meroterpenoids featuring a unique 6/5/5/9/4 fused pentacyclic ring system were isolated from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, along with several biogenetically‐related dihydropyran isomers. Two bis‐furans and one dihydropyran isomer showed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity. Structures of the isolates were unambiguously established by a combination of spectroscopic data, ECD analysis, and total synthesis. Bioinspired total syntheses of six isolates were achieved in six steps utilizing a reactive enetrione intermediate generated in situ from a readily available hydroxy‐endoperoxide precursor.     

Mechanisms for the Formation of Diamides and Polyamides by Aminolysis of d‐Glucaric Acid Esters

¹H and ¹³C NMR were employed to chart the conversion of the five‐membered lactone esters methyl d‐glucarate 1,4‐lactone (1) and ethyl d‐glucarate 6,3‐lactone (5) to N,N′‐dipropyl‐d‐glucaramide with n‐propylamine in DMSO‐d₆. These experiments were carried out to model the amide forming steps in polycondensation reactions between esterified d‐glucaric acid and diamines to give poly(d‐glucaramides). It was clear from the resulting NMR spectra that the lactones 1 and 5 were each converted in three consecutive steps to the product diamides; aminolysis of the lactone ester to the corresponding acyclic N‐propyl‐d‐glucaramide monoester, followed by lactonization to a five‐membered lactone amide, and concluding with aminolyis of the lactone amide to N,N′‐dipropyl‐d‐glucaramide (4). Comparison of the reaction pathways from 1 and 5 by ¹H NMR analysis suggests that ring opening of the 1,4‐lactone ester (1) and 1,4‐lactone amide (7) is faster than ring opening of the corresponding 6,3‐lactone ester (5) and 6,3‐lactone amide (3). Aminolysis of dimethyl l‐tartrate, which cannot form a five‐membered lactone, with n‐propylamine in DMSO‐d₆ was much slower than aminolysis of esterified glucaric acid, indicating that the lactone forming/lactone aminolysis steps are the dominant aminolysis rate enhancing steps from glucarate.     

Total Syntheses of Daphenylline,Daphnipaxianine A,and Himalenine D

We report the total syntheses of daphenylline ( 1 ), daphnipaxianine A ( 5 ), and himalenine D ( 6 ), three Daphniphyllum alkaloids from the calyciphylline A subfamily. A pentacyclic triketone was prepared by using atom‐transfer radical cyclization and the Lu [3+2] cycloaddition as key steps. Inspired by the proposed biosynthetic relationship between 1 and another calyciphylline A type alkaloid, we developed a ring‐expansion/aromatization/aldol cascade to construct the tetrasubstituted benzene moiety of 1 . The versatile triketone intermediate was also elaborated into 5 and 6 through a C=C bond migration/aldol cyclization approach.     

Total Syntheses of Juglorescein and Juglocombins A and B

Total syntheses of juglorescein and juglocombins A and B are reported. The highly oxygenated 6/6/5/6/6‐fused pentacyclic ring system of these natural products was constructed through a bioinspired dimerization of 1,4‐naphthoquinone. Notably, five new stereogenic centers were constructed in a single step by the dimerization reaction. The epoxide intermediate obtained from the dimerization was successfully converted into juglocombins A and B through photoinduced reduction of the epoxide, dehydration, and conversion of the resultant quinone into a hydroquinone derivative. The same epoxide intermediate was also converted into a dicarboxylic acid, which was transformed into juglorescein through intramolecular lactonization, hydrolysis of the resulting lactone, and removal of the protecting groups. Furthermore, the relative and absolute configurations of juglorescein and juglocombins A and B were determined.     

Tropone Is a Mere Ketone for Cycloadditions to Ketenes

Tropone ( 1 ) reacts with ketenes 2 to yield [8+2] cycloadducts, the γ‐lactones 3 . The concerted [8+2] cycloaddition path is formally symmetry‐allowed, but we established that it is unfavorable. Careful low‐temperature NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F) spectroscopies of the reaction of diphenyl ketene ( 2b ) or bis(trifluoromethyl) ketene ( 2c ) with tropone ( 1 ) allowed the direct detection of a β‐lactone intermediates 5b , c and novel norcaradiene species 6b , c in head‐to‐head configurations. The [2+2] cycloadducts 5b , c equilibrated with the norcaradienes 6b , c . The β‐lactones 5b and 5c were converted to the γ‐lactones 3b and 3c , respectively, in quantitative yields. The DFT calculations showed that the concerted [8+2] cycloaddition is unfavorable. The first step of the calculated reaction 1 + 2c is a cycloaddition which leads to a dioxetane intermediate. This initial [2+2] cycloadduct is isomerized to the β‐lactone 5c via the first zwitterionic intermediate. The β‐lactone 5c is further isomerized to the product γ‐lactone 3c via the second zwitterion intermediate. Thus, 3c is not formed via the well‐established two‐step mechanism including zwitterionic intermediates but via a five‐step mechanism composed of a [2+2] cycloaddition and subsequent isomerization (Scheme 12).