First Total Synthesis of (-)-4-O-(6'-Hydroxy-7'(9')-Dehydro-6',7,-Dihydrogeranyl)-Coniferyl Alcohol

Some Ligularia species have long used as folk remedies due to their antibiotic, antiphlogistic and antitumor activities.¹ Compound 1,² a novel coniferyl alcohol, was isolated from ligularia duciformis(Compoitae). The geometrical structure of 1,determined by spectroscopic techniques, was corresponded to 4-o-(6,-hydroxy-7'(9')-dehydro-6',7'-dihydrogeranyl)-coniferyl alcohol. But its absolute configuration at C-₆,has not yet been determined. Herein, we report the total synthesis of (6'S)-(-)-1 from Geraniol 2 through 9 steps (Scheme 1).     

Mesogenic properties of cycloalkylmethyl 4-(4'-octoxybiphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)benzoate

Four analogous compounds, cyclohexylmethyl 4-(4'-octoxybiphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)benzoate (2), cyclopentylmethyl 4-(4'-octoxybiphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)benzoate (3), cyclobutylmethyl 4-(4'-octoxylbiphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)benzoate (4) and cyclopropylmethyl 4-(4'-octoxylbiphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)benzoate (5) were prepared. They all exhibit SmA, SmC and SmX phases.     

Azo compounds and Schiff 's bases derived from 5-(4-pyridyl)-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole: synthesis, mesomorphic properties and structural study by semi-empirical calculations

The synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of new Schiff 's bases (series 3a-f) and azo compounds (4a-f) incorporating pyridine and 1,3,4-thiadiazole rings are reported. The first homologues in the series of Schiff's bases (3a-c) show a monotropic mesophase and the homologues 3d-f display an enantiotropic SmA phase. The only azo compounds to exhibit liquid crystalline properties are the homologues 4e, f which show a monotropic nematic phase. These series are compared with Schiff's bases and azo compounds analogues (series 5 and 6), previously reported by us and an AM1 study of the structure/mesomorphic property relationship is described.     

SYNTHESIS OF α-AMINO-β-(4-IMIDAZOLYL)-ETHYLPHOSPHONIC ACID,THE PHOSPHONOISOSTERE OF HISTIDINE

A short synthesis starting from 4-imidazolylmethanol(2)was developedfor the phosphonoisostere of histidine,-amino-β-(4-imidazolyl)-ethylphosphosphonic acid,His(P)(1).The synthesis features Wittig-Hornerreaction of aldehyde(4)with diphosphonate(5)followed by selectivedetritylation with 50% formic acid.     

Synthesis of di-and tetrasaccharide containing 6-deoxytalose from the O-antigenic polysaccharide of B. pseudomallei strain 304b

Synthesis of the disaccharide β-D-Glup-(1→3)-6-deoxy-α-L-Talp Ⅱ,and its dimer Ⅲ from the O-antigenic polysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei strain 304b,were achieved through assembly of suitably synthesized building blocks,4-methoxylphenyl 6-deoxy-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-talopyranoside (7),3-O-allyl-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α,β-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (8) and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyi-α,β-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (Ⅱ).The total yield of Ⅲ from 4-methoxyiphenyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1) was 18%.     

Preparation of a discotic 2,4,7,9-tetraaryl-6H-dibenzo[c,e][1,2]thiazine and generation of a persistent Radical 1

6H-Dibenzo[d,e][1,2]thiazine substituted with four 3,4-dioctyloxyphenyl groups forms a room temperature discotic phase with a clearing temperature of 104°C. Oxidation of the thiazine 2b with either metal oxides (PbO₂ or AgO) or SO₂Cl₂ gave a moderately stable radical 1b (a _N = 0.95 mT, g = 2.0045). Full conversion of 2b to 1b was observed with AgO in a toluene/MeCN mixture or with SO₂Cl₂. The radical 1b was isolated in the neat form with the latter oxidant. It shows sensitivity to molecular oxygen, which hampered its purification and subsequent thermal and magnetic studies.     

New liquid crystal compounds ( )-4-[5-(2-Methylbutyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-yl]phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoate

New liquid crystal compounds, (+)-4-[5-(2-methylbutyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-yl] phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoates (5), were synthesized. The mesomorphic behaviour of these compounds is compared with that of (+)-4-(5-alkyl-1,3-dioxan-2-yl)-phenyl 4-(2-methylbutoxy)benzoates (6). While compounds 6 exhibited a chiral smectic C phase, the corresponding compounds 5 did not. This might mean that for the appearance of a chiral smectic C phase in these types of compounds, it is necessary that the carbonyl and the chiral groups exist at nearby positions. Transition temperatures to those isotropic state for compounds 5 were lower than those for compounds 6. This result is common in both cases of (+)-4-alkoxycarbonylphenyl-4-[5-(2-methylbutyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-yl]benzoates (7), and (+)-4-(2-methylbutoxy-carbonyl)phenyl 4-(5-alkyl-1,3-dioxan-2-yl)-benzoates (8).     

Synthesis of 6-aryl-3-cinchophenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles

In recent years, fused heterocycles have been found to possess many unique properties in synthesis and pharmacology. Especially, 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles derivatives have been attracting much attention of chemists and pharmacologists because of their broad-spectrum biological activities such as antibacterial¹, hypotensive and CNS depressant² activities. We have prepared some 3,6-substituted 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles and found that these compounds exhibited antimacrobial, insecticidal and promote plant growth.^3-5 Cinchophen had been used widely as medicine in clinic,but has been obsolete in recent years due to its by-effect. In order to seek for other uses of cinchophen, as a continuation of our preceeding studies, we used cinchophen as the starting material to synthesize ten new 6-aryl-3-cinchophenyl-l,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-l,3,4-thiadiazoles 5a-j. Compound 1 was prepared by the reaction of cinchophen and ethanol in the presence of sulfuric acid. 1 then reacted with hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethanol to give 2 which yielded 3 on treatment with CS₂ and KOH. On refluxing of 3 with excess hydrazine hydrate, 4 was obtained. 4 reacted with various substituted benzoic acids in the presence of POCl₃ to afifort 5a-j.     

STUDIES ON THE SYNTHESIS OF RABDOSIA DITERPENOID Ⅱ, PREPARATION OF A KEY BUILDING BLOCK, α, β-UNSATURATED LACTONE

The main half molecule (4a) of the trichorabdal B (1) was synthesized from pentadienol (6).The key step is the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of 8.     

Liquid crystalline hexa-amides and side chain polysiloxanes of azacrown [18]-N6

The hexa-4-dodecyloxybenzoyl derivative 1 of azacrown [18]-N₆ was originally reported to have a 'tubular' mesophase on the basis of its large central ring and 6-fold symmetry. Starting in the mesophase, annealing of 1 under a cover slip results in formation of a new crystalline phase that melts directly to an isotropic liquid at the temperature previously observed for the mesophase to isotropic transition. Thus the phase behaviour of 1 is kinetically controlled. The analogous hexa-3,4-bisdodecyloxybenzoyl derivative 2 of azacrown [18]-N₆ has no kinetic limitations to its phase changes and has an enantiotropic columnar liquid crystalline phase. We have synthesized side chain copolysiloxanes with a (CH₂)₁₁ spacer and 75-84 per cent by weight of the same 4-dodecyloxybenzoyl-[18]-N₆ mesogen. The polysiloxanes also display a liquid crystalline phase.     

The substituent effect on mesomorphic properties of 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-3-nitrobenzoyloxy)benzoates and 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4-R-3-nitrobenzoates

The thermal properties of 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-3-nitrobenzoyloxy) benzo-ates (1) and 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4-R-3-nitrobenzoates (2) have been examined, where R = hydrogen, halogens, alkyl and alkoxy groups. The derivatives of compound 1 incorporating hydrogen, halogens, methoxy and nitro groups show a smectic A phase having a bilayer arrangement, and the others with a long alkoxy group show the S_A phase with the monolayer arrangement. The derivatives of compound 2 incorporating halogens, and the nitro group show the S_A phase with the monolayer arrangement. The alkoxy derivatives show a smectic C phase as well as the nematic phase. The nitro group at the lateral position tends to increase the ratio of the S_A-N transition temperature to the N-I. The effect of the nitro group on the smectic properties has been discussed in terms of the structural and electrostatic nature of the nitro group.     

New 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-oxadiazole materials: synthesis, and mesomorphic and luminescence properties

The synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of new series of 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives (2a-f and 5a-f respectively) are reported. These compounds contain only one terminal flexible alkoxy chain, the other terminal substituent is a protecting benzyl group. All compounds of series 2 exhibit an enantiotropic nematic phase. The homologue with the longest chain (2f) displays an enantiotropic dimorphism smectic A- nematic. None of the compounds of series 5 shows mesomorphism and only crystal-isotropic transitions were observed. The liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray measurements. Luminescence properties, in chloroform solution, of 2f and the series 5 compounds were evaluated. Good photoluminescence quantum yields for compounds of series 5 were observed. Compound 2f, incorporating the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring shows a very strong reduction in emissive properties.     

K3PO4-promoted Cyclopropanation of Electron-deficient Alkenes with 2-Bromo-1,3-propanedione Compounds

An easy and efficient method for the synthesis of multisubstituted cyclopropane derivatives from electron-deficicent alkenes with 2-bromo-1,3-propanedione compounds was described. For this method, ethyl α-cyanocinnamate derivatives 1 and β,β-dicyanostyrene derivatives 4 can all smoothly react with 2-bromo-1,3-propanedione compounds 2 to afford the corresponding multisubstituted cyclopropane derivatives 3 and 5 in good to excellent yields(up to 100%) promoted by anhydrous K₃PO₄ in DMF at room temperature, respectively. A possible mechanism of this reaction was proposed. Structures of all the products were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS.     

New smectic C mesogens containing the benzyl, phenylethyl or phenylpropyl moiety

A series of compoumds, benzyl 4-(4'-alkyloxybiphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)benzoates (1-10), and the two analogous compounds phenylethyl 4-(4'-octoxybiphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)benzoate (11) and phenylpropyl 4-(4'-octoxybiphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)benzoate (12), were prepared. The compounds 6-12 exhibit a SmC phase in addition to other smectic phases. Compound 11, exhibits a nematic phase.     

Synthesis of Allobetulin, 28-Oxyallobetulin and Related Biomarkers from Betulin and Betulinic Acid Catalysed by Solid Acids

Betulin (1a) is an abundant natural product in the birch bark. Betulin itself currently has little usage. However, allobetulin (2a) has been used as an important intermediate in the further transformation of triterpenoids and as a sample for biological studies.¹ For example, allobetulin was further transformed to a highly active antifeedant for heliothis zea larvae. Some biomarkers (3a,b; 4a,b) with the same or similar structure as ring-E of 2a were identified in a brown coal.³ Consequently, the conversion of 1a to synthetically, biologically and geochemically more important 2a is of great significance. The transformation of 1a to 2a was reported as early as 1922 by Schulze et al in which betulin was isomerized by formic acid, involving formation and hydrolysis of allobetulin formate, to give 2a in moderate yield.⁴     

Novel mesogenic asymmetric diacylhydrazines: synthesis, mesomorphic behaviour and X-ray study

The synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of a new series of diacylhydrazine derivatives (2a-g) are reported. All compounds of series 2 exhibit a smectic C (SmC) phase. The first homologues (2a, 2b) display a monotropic SmC mesophase, whereas the highest homologues (2c-g) exhibit an enantiotropic SmC phase. The liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray measurements.     

The synthesis and liquid crystalline behaviour of 2-(4-n-alkoxyphenyl)-5-methylpyridines

We have synthesized a new series of polyphenylene compounds with a pyridine ring, 2-(4-n-alkoxyphenyl)-5-methylpyridines (CH₃C₅H₃NC₆H₄OC_iH_2i1) (1a-i; the carbon number, i, of the alkoxy group is 1-9), and studied their phase transitions and mesogenicity using DSC and polarizing microscopy. In the homologous series of 1a-i, no mesomorphic phase appeared for i=1-5 and only a monotropic nematic phase was observed for i=6-9. The mesomorphic potential is relatively weaker for the 1a-i than for the 2a-i and 3a-i homologues, which are pyridine-containing three- and four-ring similar systems. This lowering of the mesogenicity may be due to the lack of a phenyl ring between the pyridine ring and the methyl group in the 1a-i homologues.     

Design,synthesis and biological estimation of 1-（benzoxazole-2-yl）piperazine and 4-（benzoxazole-2-yl）piperidine derivatives as potential α1-AR antagonists

Two series of 1-（benzoxazole-2-yl）piperazine （Sa-i） and 4-（benzoxazole-2-yl）piperidine compounds （10a-i） were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their α1-AR antagonistic activities. Biological assay in vitro indicated that 10h showed slightly stronger α1-AR antagonistic activity to that of our lead compound 1.     

Crystal-smectic E mesophases in a series of 2-(4-n-alkylphenyl)indenes

A series of 2-(4-n-alkylphenyl)indenes (3) with different alkyl substituents (CH₃ to C₁₀H₂₁) were synthesized and systematically characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction compared with 2-phenylindene (3a). Depending on the alkyl chain length, highly ordered crystal-smectic E mesophases were observed and confirmed by X-ray diffraction for the derivatives 3h-3k with heptyl to decyl chains (n = 6-9). For 3f with a pentyl side chain (n = 4), an X-ray crystal structure analysis was carried out.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of mesomorphic 1,1'-bis[ω-(4'-cyano-4-biphenyloxy)alkyl] ferrocenes

A new series of 1,1'-disubstituted ferrocene compounds of the type [(η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nOC₆H₄C₆H₄CN]₂Fe (3a-d, n = 5, 6, 8, 11) incorporating a variable length alkyloxy cyanobiphenyl unit has been prepared and their mesomorphic properties have been investigated. Compounds 3b, c and d exhibit a thermotropic smectic C phase and 3c also exhibits a monotropic smectic A phase over a fairly wide range near ambient temperature.