Diepoxy[18]annulene(10.0) : (Z,E,Z,E,Z)‐Diepoxy[18]annulen(10.0) – ein hochdynamisches Annulen

Diepoxy[18]annulenes(10.0): ( Z , E , Z , E , Z )‐Diepoxy[18]annulene(10.0) – a Highly Dynamic Annulene The McMurry reaction of (all‐E)‐5,5′‐([2,2′‐bifuran]‐5,5′‐diyl)bis[penta‐2,4‐dienal] ( 13 ) only occurs intramolecularly to give a mixture of the diepoxy[18]annulenes(10.0) 6 and 7 . Tetraepoxy[36]annulene(10.0.10.0) resulting from an intermolecular McMurry reaction is not formed. According to spectroscopic data, 6 is (Z,E,Z,E,Z)‐ and 7 (Z,E,E,Z,E)‐configured. The ¹H‐NMR data confirm that in 6 the (E)‐ethene‐1,2‐diyl bonds (C(11)=C(12) and C(15)=C(16)) rotate around the adjacent σ‐bonds. Beginning at −70°, this rotation freezes, and 6 is becoming a diatropic aromatic ring system. Beside [18]annulene itself, (Z,E,Z,E,Z)‐diepoxy[18]annulene(10.0) 6 is the only hitherto known [18]annulene derivative with dynamic properties.     

A Novel Type of a Second Epoxy Bridge in Eunicellane Diterpenes: Isolation and Characterization of Massileunicellins A – C from the Gorgonian Eunicella cavolinii

Massileunicellins A ( 7 ), B ( 9 ), and C ( 11 ) – which show a novel type of a second epoxy bridge in eunicellane diterpenes – were isolated from the gorgonian Eunicella cavoliniii collected near Marseille. Structural assignments are based on NMR and MS data of these compounds and of their ketal derivatives 8 , 10 , and 12 . Negligible activity of the massileunicellins on L1210 and KB tumor cell lines, and similar results for related known compounds, cast doubt on high cytotoxicity reported for the latter by other authors.     

Cationic (Azulene)(diene)rhodium(I) Complexes: Spectroscopic,Dynamic, and Catalytic Properties

New [Rh^I(η⁵‐azulene)(η⁴‐diene)][BF₄] complex salts 3 – 5 (diene=8,9,10‐trinorborna‐2,5‐diene (nbd) and (1Z,5Z)‐cycloocta‐1,5‐diene (cod)) were synthesized according to a known procedure (Scheme 1). All of these complexes show dynamic behavior of the diene ligand at room temperature. In the case of the [Rh^I(η⁵‐azulene)(cod)]⁺ complex salts 3 and [Rh^I(η⁵‐guaiazulene)(nbd)]⁺ complex salt 4a (guaiazulene=7‐isopropyl‐1,4‐dimethylazulene), the coalescence temperature of the ¹H‐NMR signals of the olefinic H‐atoms was determined. The free energy of activation (ΔG; Table 1) for the intramolecular movement of the diene ligands exhibits a distinct dependency on the HOMO/LUMO properties of the coordinated azulene ligand. The DFT (density‐functional theory) calculated ΔG values for the internal diene rotation are in good to excellent agreement with the observed ones in CD₂Cl₂ as solvent (Table 2). Moreover, the ΔG values can also be estimated in good approximation from the position of the longest‐wavelength, azulene‐centered UV/VIS absorption band of the complex salts (Table 2). These cationic Rh^I complexes are stable and air‐resistant and can be used, e.g., as precursor complexes in situ in the presence of (M)‐6,7‐bis[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]‐8,12‐diphenylbenzo[a]heptalene for asymmetric hydrogenation of (Z)‐α‐(acetamido)cinnamic acid with ee values of up to 68% (Table 4).     

1H‐NMR Analysis of Intra‐ and Intermolecular H‐Bonds of Alcohols in DMSO: Chemical Shift of Hydroxy Groups and Aspects of Conformational Analysis of Selected Monosaccharides,Inositols, and Ginkgolides

The interpretation of ¹H‐NMR chemical shifts, coupling constants, and coefficients of temperature dependence (δ(OH), J(H,OH), and Δδ(OH)/ΔT values) evidences that, in (D₆)DMSO solution, the signal of an OH group involved as donor in an intramolecular H‐bond to a hydroxy or alkoxy group is shifted upfield, whereas the signal of an OH group acting as acceptor of an intramolecular H‐bond and as donor in an intermolecular H‐bond to (D₆)DMSO is shifted downfield. The relative strength of the intramolecular H‐bond depends on co‐operativity and on the acidity of OH groups. The acidity of OH groups is enhanced when they are in an antiparallel orientation to a C−O bond. A comparison of the ¹H‐NMR spectra of alcohols in CDCl₃ and (D₆)DMSO allows discrimination between weak and strong intramolecular H‐bonds. Consideration of IR spectra (CHCl₃ or CH₂Cl₂) shows that the rule according to which the downfield shift of δ(OH) for H‐bonded alcohols in CDCl₃ parallels the strength of the H‐bond is valid only for alcohols forming strong intramolecular H‐bonds. The combined analysis of J(H,OH) and δ(OH) values is illustrated by the interpretation of the spectra of the epoxyalcohols 14 and 15 (Fig. 3). H‐Bonding of hexopyranoses, hexulopyranoses, alkyl hexopyranosides, alkyl 4,6‐O‐benzylidenehexopyranosides, levoglucosans, and inositols in (D₆)DMSO was investigated. Fully solvated non‐anomeric equatorial OH groups lacking a vicinal axial OR group (R=H or alkyl, or (alkoxy)alkyl) show characteristic J(H,OH) values of 4.5 – 5.5 Hz and fully solvated non‐anomeric axial OH groups lacking an axial OR group in β‐position are characterized by J(H,OH) values of 4.2 – 4.4 Hz (Figs. 4 – 6). Non‐anomeric equatorial OH groups vicinal to an axial OR group are involved in a partial intramolecular H‐bond (J(H,OH)=5.4 – 7.4 Hz), whereas non‐anomeric equatorial OH groups vicinal to two axial OR form partial bifurcated H‐bonds (J(H,OH)=5.8 – 9.5 Hz). Non‐anomeric axial OH groups form partial intramolecular H‐bonds to a cis‐1.3‐diaxial alkoxy group (as in 29 and 41 : J(H,OH)=4.8 – 5.0 Hz). The persistence of such a H‐bond is enhanced when there is an additional H‐bond acceptor, such as the ring O‐atom ( 43 – 47 : J(H,OH)=5.6 – 7.6 Hz; 32 and 33 : 10.5 – 11.3 Hz). The (partial) intramolecular H‐bonds lead to an upfield shift (relative to the signal of a fully solvated OH in a similar surrounding) for the signal of the H‐donor. The shift may also be related to the signal of the fully solvated, equatorial HO−C(2), HO−C(3), and HO−C(4) of β‐D ‐glucopyranose ( 16 : 4.81 ppm) by using the following increments: −0.3 ppm for an axial OH group, 0.2 – 0.25 ppm for replacing a vicinal OH by an OR group, ca. 0.1 ppm for replacing another OH by an OR group, 0.2 ppm for an antiperiplanar C−O bond, −0.3 ppm if a vicinal OH group is (partially) H‐bonded to another OR group, and −0.4 to −0.6 for both OH groups of a vicinal diol moiety involved in (partial) divergent H‐bonds. Flip‐flop H‐bonds are observed between the diaxial HO−C(2) and HO−C(4) of the inositol 40 (J(H,OH)=6.4 Hz, δ(OH)=5.45 ppm) and levoglucosan ( 42 ; J(H,OH)=6.7 – 7.1 Hz, δ(OH)=4.76 – 4.83 ppm; bifurcated H‐bond); the former is completely persistent and the latter to ca. 40%. A persistent, unidirectional H‐bond C(1)−OH⋅⋅⋅O−C(10) is present in ginkgolide B and C, as evidenced by strongly different δ(OH) and Δδ(OH)/ΔT values for HO−C(1) and HO−C(10) (Fig. 9). In the absence of this H‐bond, HO−C(1) of 52 resonates 1.1 – 1.2 ppm downfield, while HO−C(10) of ginkgolide A and of 48 – 50 resonates 0.5 – 0.9 ppm upfield.     

Two‐ and Three‐Component Reactions Leading to New Enamines Derived from 2,3‐Dicyanobut‐2‐enoates

The three‐component reactions of 1‐azabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes 1 , dicyanofumarates (E)‐ 5 , and MeOH or morpholine yielded azetidine enamines 8 and 9 with the cis‐orientation of the ester groups at the C?C bond ((E)‐configuration; Schemes 3 and 4). The structures of 8a and 9d were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The formation of the products is explained via the nucleophilic addition of 1 onto (E)‐ 5 , leading to a zwitterion of type 7 (Scheme 2), which is subsequently trapped by MeOH or morpholine ( 10a ), followed by elimination of HCN. Similarly, two‐component reactions between secondary amines 10a – 10c and (E)‐ 5 gave products 12 with an (E)‐enamine structure and (Z)‐oriented ester groups. On the other hand, two‐component reactions involving primary amines 10d – 10f or NH₃ led to the formation of the corresponding (Z)‐enamines, in which the (E)‐orientation of ester groups was established.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Multinanometer‐Sized Expanded Dendralenes with an iso‐Poly(triacetylene) Backbone

A series of [n]dendralenes (n =3, 4, 8, 3b – d (Fig. 1)) expanded with buta‐1,3‐diynediyl moieties between the CC bonds were prepared by repetitive acetylenic scaffolding of 3‐(cyclohexylidene)penta‐1,4‐diyne building blocks (Scheme). These remarkably unstable iso‐poly(triacetylene) (iso‐PTA) oligomers were characterized by ¹H‐ and ¹³C NMR (Fig. 3 and Table 1), IR, and UV/VIS (Figs. 4 and 6 and Table 2) spectroscopy, as well as mass spectrometry (Fig. 2). The expanded [8]dendralene contains 40 C(sp)‐ and C(sp²)‐atoms in the backbone and represents the longest iso‐PTA oligomer prepared to date. HOMO‐LUMO Gap energies were determined as a function of oligomeric length (Fig. 5 and Table 3), providing insight into the degree of π‐electron delocalization in these cross‐conjugated chromophores. A continous drop in the HOMO‐LUMO gap with increasing number of monomeric repeating units provides evidence that cross‐conjugation along the oligomeric backbone is effective to some extent. The limiting HOMO‐LUMO gap energy for an infinitely long, buta‐1,3‐diynediyl‐expanded dendralene was extrapolated to about 3.3–3.5 eV. The conformational preferences of the expanded dendralenes were analyzed in semi‐empirical calculations, revealing energetic preferences for planar or slightly twisted s‐cis and ‘U‐shaped' geometries.     

Metabolism of Deuterated Isomeric 6,7‐Dihydroxydodecanoic Acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae – Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Formation and Characterization of 5‐Hydroxydecano‐4‐lactone (=4,5‐Dihydro‐5‐(1‐hydroxyhexyl)furan‐2(3H)‐one) Isomers

The chemical synthesis of deuterated isomeric 6,7‐dihydroxydodecanoic acid methyl esters 1 and the subsequent metabolism of esters 1 and the corresponding acids 1a in liquid cultures of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Incubation experiments with (6R,7R)‐ or (6S,7S)‐6,7‐dihydroxy(6,7‐²H₂)dodecanoic acid methyl ester ((6R,7R)‐ or (6S,7S)‐(6,7‐²H₂)‐ 1 , resp.) and (±)‐threo‐ or (±)‐erythro‐6,7‐dihydroxy(6,7‐²H₂)dodecanoic acid ((±)‐threo‐ or (±)‐erythro‐(6,7‐²H₂)‐ 1a , resp.) elucidated their metabolic pathway in yeast (Tables 1–3). The main products were isomeric ²H‐labeled 5‐hydroxydecano‐4‐lactones 2 . The absolute configuration of the four isomeric lactones 2 was assigned by chemical synthesis via Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and chiral gas chromatography (Lipodex ^® E). The enantiomers of threo‐ 2 were separated without derivatization on Lipodex ^® E; in contrast, the enantiomers of erythro‐ 2 could be separated only after transformation to their 5‐O‐(trifluoroacetyl) derivatives. Biotransformation of the methyl ester (6R,7R)‐(6,7‐²H₂)‐ 1 led to (4R,5R)‐ and (4S,5R)‐(2,5‐²H₂)‐ 2 (ratio ca. 4 : 1; Table 2). Estimation of the label content and position of (4S,5R)‐(2,5‐²H₂)‐ 2 showed 95% label at C(5), 68% label at C(2), and no ²H at C(4) (Table 2). Therefore, oxidation and subsequent reduction with inversion at C(4) of 4,5‐dihydroxydecanoic acid and transfer of ²H from C(4) to C(2) is postulated. The 5‐hydroxydecano‐4‐lactones 2 are of biochemical importance: during the fermentation of Streptomyces griseus, (4S,5R)‐ 2 , known as L‐factor, occurs temporarily before the antibiotic production, and (?)‐muricatacin (=(4R,5R)‐5‐hydroxy‐heptadecano‐4‐lactone), a homologue of (4R,5R)‐ 2 , is an anticancer agent.     

Synthetic Studies on Coenzyme Q10. Part 3

An efficient and stereoselective approach to the synthesis of coenzyme Q₁₀ is described (Scheme). The MeOCH₂‐protected p‐hydroquinone 4 containing the C₅ (E)‐allyl (tert‐butyl)dimethylsilyl ether moiety was obtained via a halogen–lithium exchange of the MeOCH₂‐proctected 2‐bromo‐5,6‐dimethoxy‐3‐methylhydroquinone 2 and subsequent addition to (E)‐(^tBuMe₂Si)‐OCH₂C(Me)=CHCH₂Br ( 3 ). The reductive desulfonylation of compound 8 , obtained from 4 via 5 – 7 , was successfully carried out by employing Li/EtNH₂.     

A New Helicopodand: Molecular Recognition of Dicarboxylic Acids with High Diastereoselectivity

The helicopodand (PM)- 2 is prepared following the photocyclodehydrogenation route to helicenes (Scheme). At the ends of a [7]helicene backbone, this acyclic receptor (‘podand’) possesses a H-bonding recognition site shaped by two convergent N-(pyridin-2-yl)carboxamide (CONH(py)) units. In the crystal of diethyl [7]helicene-2,17-dicarboxylate ((PM)- 3 ), a direct synthetic precursor of 2 , molecules of the same chirality form stacks, and two stacks of opposite chirality are interlocked in a pair having average face-to-face aromatic contacts of 3.82 Å between benzene rings of different enantiomers (Fig. 2). In contrast, two conformations are observed in the crystal structure of 2 , one with both CONH(py) residues pointing with their H-bonding centers NH/N away from the binding site (‘out-out’) and a second (‘in-out’) with one of the two CONH(py) residues pointing towards the binding site (‘in’; Fig. 4). While no H-bonding network propagates throughout the crystal, enantiomers of 2 in the different conformations ‘out-out’ and ‘in-out’ form H-bonded pairs that are further stabilized by a H-bond to one molecule of CHCl₃. In the productive ‘in-in’ conformation, 2 forms stable 1:1 complexes with α,ω-dicarboxylic acids in CHCl₃, and a diastereoselectivity in complexation of Δ(ΔG°) = 1.4 kcal mol^?1 is measured for two substrates differing only in the (E)/(Z)-configuration at their double bond (see Table 2). A comprehensive force-field molecular-modeling study suggests that only the (E)-derivative possesses the correct geometry for a ditopic four-fold H-bonding interaction between its two COOH residues and the two CONH(py) groups in 2 (Fig. 5). With N,N′-bis [(benzyloxy)carbonyl]-L -cystine, the formation of diastereoisomeric complexes with (PM)- 2 is observed (Fig. 7).     

Palmitoleate (=(9Z)‐Hexadeca‐9‐enoate) Esters of Oleanane Triterpenoids from the Golden Flowers of Tagetes erecta: Isolation and Autoxidation Products

Six oleanane‐type triterpenoid esters were isolated from the golden flowers of Tagetes erecta. Spectral studies characterized their structures as 3‐O‐[(9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoyl]erythrodiol ( 1 ), 11α,12α:13β,28‐diepoxyoleanan‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 2 ), 13β,28‐epoxyolean‐11‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 3 ), 28‐hydroxy‐11‐oxoolean‐12‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 4 ), 3‐O‐[(9Z‐hexadec‐9‐enoyl]‐β‐amyrin ( 5 ), and 11‐oxoolean‐12‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 6 ). Compounds 1 – 4 and 6 are new natural products, while the known 5 was isolated for the first time from the genus Tagetes, from which only one triterpenoid has earlier been obtained. Aerial oxidation (autoxidation) converted amyrin 1 into 2 – 4 and transformed amyrin 5 into 6 . The configuration of 1 – 6 and an autoxidation mechanism (Scheme) involving the formation of the intermediate 11α‐hydroxyolean‐12‐ene derivatives 1b and 5b on thermal decomposition of the labile 11α‐OOH derivatives 1a and 5a , respectively, under neutral conditions are discussed. For the first time, the reactivity of the allylic H? C(11) bond of triterpenoids of type 1 and 5 toward aerial oxidation was observed. The long‐chain ester group at C(3) of 1 and 5 may be responsible for their labile nature, as β‐amyrin ( 7 ), erythrodiol ( 8 ), and ursolic acid were found to be inert toward autoxidation.     

Tumor‐Promoting Diterpene Esters from Latex of Euphorbia cauducifolia L.

Tumor‐promoting characteristics of seven esters, 1 – 7 , obtained from the latex of Euphorbia cauducifolia L. was appraised by carrying out NMRI mice back skin. The structures of 1 – 7 were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques like ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, 2D‐NMR (HMQC, HMBC, HOHAHA (homonuclear Hartmann–Hahn), NOESY, and NOE), FT‐IR, UV, and MS as esters of 17‐hydroxyingenol, namely 17‐[(2Z,4E,6Z)‐deca‐2,4,6‐trienoyloxy]ingenol ( 1 ), 3‐O‐angeloyl‐17‐[(2Z,4E,6Z)‐deca‐2,4,6‐trienoyloxy]ingenol ( 2 ), 3‐O‐acetyl‐20‐O‐angeloyl‐17‐hydroxyingenol ( 3 ), 17‐(acetyloxy)‐3‐O‐angelyl‐ingenol ( 4 ), 20‐O‐acetyl‐3‐O‐angeloyl‐17‐hydroxyingenol ( 5 ), 3‐O‐angelyl‐17‐(benzoyloxy)ingenol ( 6 ) and 20‐O‐acetyl‐3‐O‐angelyl‐17‐(benzoyloxy)ingenol ( 7 ). Compounds 1 – 4 were isolated for the first time, whereas 5 – 7 are known metabolites but detected for the first time in this plant. Biological investigations revealed that these compounds are tumor promoters.     

Dendritic Iron(II) Porphyrins as Models for Hemoglobin and Myoglobin: Specific Stabilization of O2 Complexes in Dendrimers with H‐Bond‐Donor Centers

Two types of dendritically functionalized iron(II) porphyrins were prepared (Scheme) and investigated in the presence of 1,2‐dimethylimidazole (1,2‐DiMeIm) as the axial ligand as model systems for T(tense)‐state hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb). Equilibrium O₂‐ and CO‐binding studies were performed in toluene and aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 7). UV/VIS Titrations (Fig. 4) revealed that the two dendritic receptors 1 ⋅ Fe ^II ‐1,2‐DiMeIm and 2 ⋅ Fe ^II ‐1,2‐DiMeIm (Fig. 2) with secondary amide moieties in the dendritic branching undergo reversible complexation (Fig. 5) with O₂ and CO in dry toluene. Whereas the CO affinity is similar to that measured for the natural receptors, the O₂ affinity is greatly enhanced and exceeds that of T‐state Hb by a factor of ca. 1500 (Table). The oxygenated complexes possess half‐lives of several h (Fig. 6). This remarkable stability originates from both dendritic encapsulation of the iron(II) porphyrin and formation of a H‐bond between bound O₂ and a dendritic amide NH moiety (Fig. 11). Whereas reversible CO binding was also observed in aqueous solution (Fig. 10), the oxygenated iron(II) complexes are destabilized by the presence of H₂O with respect to oxidative decay (Fig. 9), possibly as a result of the weakening of the O₂⋅⋅⋅H−N H‐bond by the competitive solvent. The comparison between the two dendrimers with amide branchings and ester derivative 3 ⋅ Fe ^II ‐1,2‐DiMeIm (Fig. 2), which lacks H‐bond donor centers in the periphery of the porphyrin, further supports the role of H‐bonding in stabilizing the O₂ complex against irreversible oxidation. All three derivatives bind CO reversibly and with similar affinity (Fig. 8) in dry toluene, but the oxygenated complex of 3 ⋅ Fe ^II ‐1,2‐DiMeIm undergoes much more rapid oxidative decomposition (Fig. 7).     

Total synthesis of (3Z,9Z,6S,7R) and (3Z,9Z,6R,7S)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadienes

(3Z,9Z,6S,7R)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene (1) and (3Z,9Z,6R,7S)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene (2) have been stereoselectively synthesized in eight steps from 2-pentyn-1-ol with an overall yield of 8%. The key steps involved the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of (2E)-oct-2-en-5-yn-1-ol (6). The new synthetic method is suitable for multigram-scale preparation of 1 and 2 and might be used for producing sufficient quantities of the sex pheromone components for management of the pest of tea plantations.     

Uncommon Sesquiterpenoids and New Triterpenoids from Jatropha neopauciflora (Euphorbiaceae)

Eight new terpenoids ( 1 – 8 ) were isolated from the bark of Jatropha neopauciflora, together with eight known compounds. The new isolates include the sesquiterpenoids (1R,2R)‐diacetoxycycloax‐4(15)‐ene ( 1 ); (1R,2R)‐dihydroxycycloax‐4(15)‐ene ( 2 ), (2R)‐δ‐cadin‐4‐ene‐2,10‐diol ( 3 ), (2R)‐δ‐cadina‐4,9‐dien‐2‐ol ( 4 ), (1R,2R)‐dihydroxyisodauc‐4‐en‐14‐ol ( 5 ) and its acetonide 6 (artifact), as well as the two triterpenoids (3β,16β)‐16‐hydroxylup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐yl (E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoate ( 7 ) and (3β,16β)‐16‐hydroxyolean‐18‐en‐3‐yl (E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoate ( 8 ). The structures of these compounds were established by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by circular‐dichroism (CD) experiments, and by X‐ray crystallographic analysis (compound 7 ; Fig. 3). A plausible biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenoids 1 – 5 is proposed (Scheme), starting from (?)‐germacrene D as the common biogenetic precursor.     

7‐Halogenated 7‐Deazapurine 2′‐Deoxyribonucleosides Related to 2′‐Deoxyadenosine, 2′‐Deoxyxanthosine,and 2′‐Deoxyisoguanosine: Syntheses and Properties

A series of 7‐fluorinated 7‐deazapurine 2′‐deoxyribonucleosides related to 2′‐deoxyadenosine, 2′‐deoxyxanthosine, and 2′‐deoxyisoguanosine as well as intermediates 4b – 7b, 8, 9b, 10b , and 17b were synthesized. The 7‐fluoro substituent was introduced in 2,6‐dichloro‐7‐deaza‐9H‐purine ( 11a ) with Selectfluor (Scheme 1). Apart from 2,6‐dichloro‐7‐fluoro‐7‐deaza‐9H‐purine ( 11b ), the 7‐chloro compound 11c was formed as by‐product. The mixture 11b / 11c was used for the glycosylation reaction; the separation of the 7‐fluoro from the 7‐chloro compound was performed on the level of the unprotected nucleosides. Other halogen substituents were introduced with N‐halogenosuccinimides ( 11a → 11c – 11e ). Nucleobase‐anion glycosylation afforded the nucleoside intermediates 13a – 13e (Scheme 2). The 7‐fluoro‐ and the 7‐chloro‐7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyxanthosines, 5b and 5c , respectively, were obtained from the corresponding MeO compounds 17b and 17c , or 18 (Scheme 6). The 2′‐deoxyisoguanosine derivative 4b was prepared from 2‐chloro‐7‐fluoro‐7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyadenosine 6b via a photochemically induced nucleophilic displacement reaction (Scheme 5). The pK_a values of the halogenated nucleosides were determined (Table 3). ¹³C‐NMR Chemical‐shift dependencies of C(7), C(5), and C(8) were related to the electronegativity of the 7‐halogen substituents (Fig. 3). In aqueous solution, 7‐halogenated 2′‐deoxyribonucleosides show an approximately 70% S population (Fig. 2 and Table 1).     

Rubriflorin A and B,Two Novel Partially Saturated Dibenzocyclooctene Lignans from Schisandra rubriflora

From the stems of Schisandra rubriflora, two novel partially saturated dibenzocyclooctene lignans, named rubriflorin A ( 1 ) and B ( 6 ), as well as the seven known partially saturated dibenzocyclooctene lignans kadsumarin A ( 2 ), kadsurin ( 3 ), heteroclitin B ( 4 ), heteroclitin C ( 5 ), heteroclitin D ( 7 ), interiorin ( 8 ), and interiorin B ( 9 ) were isolated. The structures of the new compounds 1 and 6 were established on the basis of spectral analysis as (5R,6S,7R,8R,13aS)‐8‐(acetyloxy)‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐1,2,3,13‐tetramethoxy‐6,7‐dimethylbenz([3,4]cycloocta[1,2‐f][1,3]benzodioxol‐5‐yl (2Z)‐2‐methylbut‐2‐enoate and (6R,7R,12aS)‐7,8‐dihydro‐12‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,10,11‐pentamethoxy‐6,7‐dimethyl‐6H‐dibenzo[a,c]cycloocten‐5‐one, respectively.     

Oligonucleotides Containing 7‐Deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine as Universal Nucleoside: Synthesis of 7‐Halogenated and 7‐Alkynylated Derivatives,Ambiguous Base Pairing,and Dye Functionalization by the Alkyne–Azide ‘Click’ Reaction

Oligonucleotides containing 7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine derivatives bearing 7‐halogen substituents or 7‐alkynyl groups were prepared. For this, the phosphoramidites 2b – 2g containing 7‐substituted 7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine analogues 1b – 1g were synthesized (Scheme 2). Hybridization experiments with modified oligonucleotides demonstrate that all 2′‐deoxyinosine derivatives show ambiguous base pairing, as 2′‐deoxyinosine does. The duplex stability decreases in the order C_d>A_d>T_d>G_d when 2b – 2g pair with these canonical nucleosides (Table 6). The self‐complementary duplexes 5′‐d(F⁷c⁷I‐C)₆, d(Br⁷c⁷I‐C)₆, and d(I⁷c⁷I‐C)₆ are more stable than the parent duplex d(c⁷I‐C)₆ (Table 7). An oligonucleotide containing the octa‐1,7‐diyn‐1‐yl derivative 1g , i.e., 27 , was functionalized with the nonfluorescent 3‐azido‐7‐hydroxycoumarin ( 28 ) by the Huisgen–Sharpless–Meldal cycloaddition ‘click’ reaction to afford the highly fluorescent oligonucleotide conjugate 29 (Scheme 3). Consequently, oligonucleotides incorporating the derivative 1g bearing a terminal C?C bond show a number of favorable properties: i) it is possible to activate them by labeling with reporter molecules employing the ‘click’ chemistry. ii) Space demanding residues introduced in the 7‐position of the 7‐deazapurine base does not interfere with duplex structure and stability (Table 8). iii) The ambiguous pairing character of the nucleobase makes them universal probes for numerous applications in oligonucleotide chemistry, molecular biology, and nanobiotechnology.     

Photoswitchable Tetraethynylethene‐Dihydroazulene Chromophores

The synthesis, characterization, and photophysical as well as electrochemical properties of the photochromic hybrid systems 11 – 16 and 18 , which contain photoswitchable tetraethynylethene (TEE; 3,4‐diethynylhex‐3‐ene‐1,5‐diyne) and dihydroazulene (DHA) moieties, are presented. The molecular photoswitches were synthesized by a Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction between an appropriate TEE precursor ( 6 – 10 and 17 ) and an iodinated DHA 1 or its vinylheptafulvene (VHF) isomer ( 4 ) (Schemes 5 – 7). X‐Ray crystal structures of five DHA derivatives ( 1 , trans‐ 11a , cis‐ 11a , 12 , and 13 ) are discussed (Figs. 2 – 5). In all compounds, the cyclohexatriene moiety of the DHA chromophore adopts a clear boat conformation (Table 1). Presumably due to crystal‐packing effects, the arylated TEE moieties in the hybrid systems show substantial distortions from planarity, with the dihedral angles between the planes of the central TEE core and the adjacent aryl substituents amounting to 44°. The switching properties were investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy. Upon light absorption, DHAs 1 , 12 – 16 , and 18 underwent retro‐electrocyclization in solution to give the corresponding VHFs (Figs. 6, 11, and 12). The reaction is thermally reversible, with half‐lives τ_1/2 between 3.9 and 5.8 h at 25° in CH₂Cl₂ (Figs. 7 and 13 and Table 3). A comparatively slower (E)→(Z) isomerization process about the central C=C bond of the TEE moiety was also observed. The N,N‐dimethylanilino‐(DMA) substituted TEE‐DHA hybrid systems trans‐ 11a and cis‐ 11a did not react to the corresponding VHFs upon irradiation (Scheme 9). Instead, only the reversible (E)→(Z) photoisomerization of the TEE core occurred (Fig. 16 and Table 4). This process was further investigated for photofatigue by electronic‐emission spectroscopy (Fig. 17). After protonation of the DMA group, the usual DHA→VHF photoreaction took place. Compound 11 represents a three‐way chromophoric molecular switch with three addressable sub‐units (TEE core, DHA/VHF moiety, and proton sensitive DMA group) that can undergo individual, reversible switching cycles (Scheme 9). A process modeling the function of an `AND' logic gate (Fig. 19) and three write/erase processes could be performed with this system. Cyclic and linear sweep‐voltammetry studies in CH₂Cl₂ (+Bu₄NPF₆) revealed the occurrence of characteristic first‐reduction steps in the TEE‐DHA hybrid systems between −1.6 and −1.8 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺ (ferrocene/ferricinium couple) (Table 5). Oxidations occur at ca. +1.10 V. After photoisomerization to the VHF derivatives, reduction steps at more positive and oxidation steps at more negative potentials were recorded. No DHA→VHF isomerization took place upon electrochemical oxidation or reduction (Fig. 20).     

Donor‐Substituted Perethynylated Dehydroannulenes and Radiaannulenes: Acetylenic Carbon Sheets Featuring Intense Intramolecular Charge Transfer

In this article, we report the preparation of unprecedented π‐conjugated macrocycles (Fig. 1) by acetylenic scaffolding using modular tetraethynylethene (TEE, 3,4‐diethynylhex‐3‐ene‐1,5‐diyne) building blocks. A novel photochemical access to (Z)‐bisdeprotected TEEs (Scheme 1) enabled the synthesis of the anilino‐substituted perethynylated octadehydro[12]‐ ( 5 ) and dodecadehydro[18]annulenes ( 6 ) (Scheme 2). Following the serendipitous discovery of perethynylated radiaannulenes (Scheme 3) that can be viewed as hybrids between perethynylated dehydroannulenes and expanded radialenes, two series of monocyclic ( 7 – 9 ; Scheme 6) and bicyclic ( 10 and 11 ; Scheme 7) representatives were prepared. Substantial strain in the macrocyclic perimeter of radiaannulene 7 was revealed by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis (Fig. 2). Nevertheless, mono‐ and bicyclic radiaannulenes are stable at room temperature in air for months. The opto‐electronic properties of both dehydroannulenes and radiaannulenes are substantially enhanced by the introduction of the peripheral anilino donor groups that undergo strong intramolecular charge‐transfer interactions with the electron‐accepting all‐C cores. As a result, the UV/VIS spectra feature intense, bathochromically shifted charge‐transfer bands that disappear upon protonation of the anilino moieties and are fully recovered upon neutralization (Figs. 4–9). A comparison between anilino‐substituted perethynylated dehydroannulenes, expanded radialenes, and radiaannulenes revealed that the efficiency of the intramolecular charge‐transfer interaction strongly depends on the structure of the electron‐accepting all‐C perimeter. Electrochemical investigations (Table) demonstrated that the radiaannulenes are particularly powerful electron acceptors. Thus, bicyclic radiaannulene 11 , which possesses eight peripheral 3,5‐di(tert‐butyl)phenyl substituents, is reversibly reduced at ?0.83 V in THF (vs. Fc⁺/Fc), making it a better electron acceptor than buckminsterfullerene C₆₀ under comparable conditions.     

Synthesis and α‐Mannosidase Inhibitory Evaluation of (2R,3R,4S)‐ and (2S,3R,4S)‐2‐(Aminomethyl)pyrrolidine‐3,4‐diol Derivatives

The synthesis of 46 derivatives of (2R,3R,4S)‐2‐(aminomethyl)pyrrolidine‐3,4‐diol is reported (Scheme 1 and Fig. 3), and their inhibitory activities toward α‐mannosidases from jack bean (B) and almonds (A) are evaluated (Table). The most‐potent inhibitors are (2R,3R,4S)‐2‐{[([1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐ylmethyl)amino]methyl}pyrrolidine‐3,4‐diol ( 3fs ; IC₅₀(B)=5 μM , K_i=2.5 μM ) and (2R,3R,4S)‐2‐{[(1R)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐1‐ylamino]methyl}pyrrolidine‐3,4‐diol ( 3fu ; IC₅₀(B)=17 μM , K_i=2.3 μM ). (2S,3R,4S)‐2‐(Aminomethyl)pyrrolidine‐3,4‐diol ( 6 , R?H) and the three 2‐(N‐alkylamino)methyl derivatives 6fh, 6fs , and 6f are prepared (Scheme 2) and found to inhibit also α‐mannosidases from jack bean and almonds (Table). The best inhibitor of these series is (2S,3R,4S)‐2‐{[(2‐thienylmethyl)amino]methyl}pyrrolidine‐3,4‐diol ( 6o ; IC₅₀(B)=105 μM , K_i=40 μM ). As expected (see Fig. 4), diamines 3 with the configuration of α‐D ‐mannosides are better inhibitors of α‐mannosidases than their stereoisomers 6 with the configuration of β‐D ‐mannosides. The results show that an aromatic ring (benzyl, [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl, 2‐thienyl) is essential for good inhibitory activity. If the C‐chain that separates the aromatic system from the 2‐(aminomethyl) substituent is longer than a methano group, the inhibitory activity decreases significantly (see Fig. 7). This study shows also that α‐mannosidases from jack bean and from almonds do not recognize substrate mimics that are bulky around the O‐glycosidic bond of the corresponding α‐D ‐mannopyranosides. These observations should be very useful in the design of better α‐mannosidase inhibitors.