Biotransformation of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene derivatives by Gibberella fujikuroi

The microbiological transformation of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi gave fujenoic acid as the main compound, whilst the incubation of 18-hydroxy-7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene and 3α,18-dihydroxy-7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene afforded the corresponding 6β-hydroxy-derivatives. These facts indicate that the formation of fujenoic acid in this biotransformation should occur via a 7-oxo-6β-hydroxy derivative. In the three biotransformations, an 11β-hydroxylation was also produced, in low yield, indicating that a 7-oxo-group also directs hydroxylation at C-11.     

The stereospecificity and stereoselectivity of hydrogen transfer in photochemical reactions

The photolysis of methyl ent-19-acetoxy-3-oxo-beyer-15-en-17-oate (3) occurs with retention of configuration of C-4 to give the 4S-3,4-seco acid. In the phototransformation of 3-ketobeyeranes to 3,4-seco acids the C-2 axial hydrogen is transferred preferentially to C-4.     

Neighbouring group participation in the reaction of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene derivatives with diacetoxyiodobenzene. Synthesis of gibberellin analogues

The reaction of different 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene derivatives with diacetoxyiodobenzene has been evaluated for the preparation of gibberellin analogues. Thus, the reaction of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-en-18-oic acid methyl ester (3) with this reagent afforded 4-epi-GA₁₂ dimethyl ester (6). This reaction constitutes a good procedure for the preparation of this type of compounds. In some cases, alternative reactions that led to the introduction in the substrate of a conjugated 5,6-double bond or to the formation of a ketal at the 6-position were also produced. The formation of these compounds, or of gibberellin analogues, depends on the neighbouring group participation of the different C-18 and C-19 substituents at C-4.     

Synthesis of 12-epi-ent-polyalthenol an antitumour indole sesquiterpene alkaloid

The synthesis of 12-epi-ent-polyalthenol, 10, and its epimer at C-19, 11, from ent-halimic acid as starting material has been carried out. The structure of the natural product polyalthenol 1 is confirmed in this way. The synthesized indole sesquiterpenes 10 and 11 and their acetylderivatives 32 and 33 inhibited cellular proliferation of a number of human leukaemic and solid tumour cell lines.     

Efficient transformation of 7,14-dihydroxy-ent-kaurenes to novel ent-abietanes having cis-fused α-methylene γ-lactones under Mitsunobu reaction conditions and their cytotoxicities

Transformation of plant-origin 7,14-dihydroxy-ent-kaurenes to ent-abietanes having a cis-fused α-methylene γ-lactones was accomplished efficiently under the Mitsunobu reaction conditions. The yields of the desired products were apparently influenced by the steric hindrance at C-1. The cytotoxic activity on P388 murine leukemia cells of the ent-abietanes having cis-fused α-methylene γ-lactones produced were assayed.     

Microbial transformation of two 15α-hydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene diterpenes by Mucor plumbeus

The microbiological transformation of candidiol (15α,18-dihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene) by Mucor plumbeus led to 3β,15α,18-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, 6α,15α,18-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, 3α,15α,18-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, 11β,15α,18-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene and 15α,17,18-trihydroxy-11β,16β-epoxy-ent-kaurane, whilst the incubation of 15α,19-dihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene gave 9β,15α,19-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, 3α,15α,19-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, 11β,15α,19-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, 6α,15α,19-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, 15α,17,19-trihydroxy-11β,16β-epoxy-ent-kaurane, 19-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-15α-hydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene and 19-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-15-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene. An interesting rearrangement in dilute acid medium of 9β,15α,19-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene into 16-oxo-19-hydroxy-ent-abiet-8(9),15-diene, is also described in this work.     

Bisleuconins A-D: a pair of epimeric ent-kauranoid dimers and two new asymmetric analogues isolated from Isodonleucophyllus

A phytochemical investigation of Isodon leucophyllus led to the isolation of four novel ent-kauranoid dimers: bisleuconins A-D (1-4), and one known compound, rabdoloxin A (5). It was interesting that the structures of bisleuconins A (1) and B (2) were elucidated as a pair of epimeric ent-kauranoid dimers with unique linkage pattern C-16→C-17′ to connect two monomers. Bisleuconins C (3) and D (4) were two new asymmetric ent-kauranoid dimers. A possible biogenetic pathway of 1 and 2 was also proposed.     

A new ent-norabietant diterpenoid from roots of Euphorbia lathyris L.

A new highly oxidized ent-norabietane diterpenoid named lathyrisol A (1) was isolated from roots of Euphorbia lathyris L. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were elucidated on the basis of data obtained by HRESIMS, NMR, and the Cu-Kα radiation X-ray diffraction analysis. This compound is the first example of naturally occurring norabietane diterpenoid with an exocyclic olefin at the C-4 position.     

Chemical Constituents from Annona Glabra

A new kaurane diterpenoid, annoglabasin G (16α‐hydro‐19‐acetoxy‐ent‐kauran‐17‐al) ( 1 ), along with 27 compounds including 18 kaurane diterpenoids, 16β‐hydro‐ent‐kauran‐17‐oic acid ( 2 ), 16α‐hydro‐ent‐kauran‐17‐oic acid ( 3 ), 19‐nor‐ent‐kauran‐4α‐ol‐17‐oic acid ( 4 ), 16α‐hydro‐19‐ol‐ent‐kauran‐17‐oic acid ( 5 ), ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐19‐oic acid ( 6 ), 16α‐hydroxy‐ent‐kauran‐19‐oic acid ( 7 ), 16α,17‐dihydroxy‐ent‐kauran‐19‐oic acid ( 8 ), 16β,17‐dihydroxy‐ent‐kauran‐19‐oic acid ( 9 ), 16α‐hydro‐ent‐kauran‐17,19‐dioic acid ( 10 ), 16β‐hydroxy‐17‐acetoxy‐ent‐kauran‐19‐oic acid ( 11 ), 16β‐hydro‐17‐hydroxy‐ent‐kauran‐19‐al ( 12 ), 16α‐hydro‐17‐hydroxy‐ent‐kauran‐19‐al ( 13 ), 16β,17‐dihydroxy‐ent‐kauran‐19‐al ( 14 ), 16α‐hydro‐19‐al‐ent‐kauran‐17‐oic acid ( 15 ), 16α‐hydro‐17‐acetoxy‐ent‐kauran‐19‐al ( 16 ), 16α‐hydro‐19‐acetoxy‐ent‐kauran‐17‐oic acid ( 17 ), ent‐kaur‐15‐en‐19‐oic acid ( 18 ) and ent‐kaur‐15‐en‐17‐ol‐19‐oic acid ( 19 ); four acetogenins, annomontacin ( 20 ), annonacin ( 21 ), isoannonacinone ( 22 ) and squamocin ( 23 ); four steroids, β‐sitosterol ( 24 ), stigmasterol ( 25 ), β‐sitosteryl‐D‐glucoside ( 26 ) and stigmasteryl‐D‐glucoside ( 27 ) and one oxoaporphine, liriodenine ( 28 ), were isolated from the fresh fruits of Annona glabra. These compounds were characterized and identified by physical and spectral evidence.     

Crotocaudin; a rearranged labdane type norditerpene from Croton caudatus geisel

The structure and stereochemistry of crotocaudin, a new norditerpene occurring as a minor constituent in Crotoncaudatus Geisel (Euphorbiaceae) have been established as ent-8S,10S-15,16-epoxy-19-norcleroda-4,11,13(16), 14-tetraene 18,6S: 20,12-diolactone 7 from the detailed studies of ¹H NMR spectra using lanthanide shift reagents, decoupling experiments and chemical reactions. The congener, teucvidin, ent-10S-15,16-epoxy-19-norcleroda-4,13(16), 14-triene-18,6S: 20,12R-diolactone 1 was obtained as a major component besides several triterpenoids viz taraxerone 2, taraxerol 3 and taraxeryl acetate 4. ¹³C NMR and ¹H NMR spectra and a few novel reactions of teucvidin and its conversion to teucvin, ent-(6R,12R)-15,16-epoxy-19-nor-9,4-friedolabda-4,13(16),14-triene-18,6:20, 12-diolactone 6 are also reported.     

New synthesis of diterpenoid (16<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-dihydrosteviol

A new procedure has been developed for the synthesis of diterpenoid (16S)-dihydrosteviol [(16S)-13-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid] by acid hydrolysis (0.7% hydrochloric acid) of SWETA food sweetener and subsequent reduction of the resulting mixture of caurenoids with hydrazine hydrate over Raney nickel. The molecular geometry of (16S)-dihydrosteviol, as well as of Δ¹⁵-steviol (13-hydroxy-ent-kaur-15-en-19-oic acid), was determined for the first time by X-ray analysis.     

Isosteviol derivatives having azine and hydrazide fragments

Diterpenoid isosteviol (ent-16-oxobeyeran-19-oic acid) and its methyl ester and chloride reacted with hydrazine hydrate to give derivatives having azine and hydrazide fragments.     

Lignans and Kauranes from the Stems of Annona cherimola

Four lignans and six kauranes, (+)-epi-syringaresinol ( 1 ), annocherin A (16β-hydroxy-17,19-diacetoxy-ent-kaurane) ( 2 ), (+)-syringaresinol ( 3 ), (+)-dia-syringaresinol ( 4 ), liriodendrin[(+)-syringaresinol-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside] ( 5 ), 16α-hydro-17-acetoxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid ( 6 ), 16β-hydro-17-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-al ( 7 ), 16α-hydro-17-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-al ( 8 ), 16β-hydro-17-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid ( 9 ) and 16α-hydro-17-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid ( 10 ) were isolated from the stems of Annona cherimola. Among them, 1 is obtained for the first time from natural sources and 2 is a new compound. The structures of these compounds were characterized and identified by spectral analyses.     

Chemoenzymatic enantiodivergent total syntheses of (+)- and (−)-codeine

Whole-cell fermentation of β-bromoethylbenzene with the recombinant strain Escherichia coli JM109 (pDTG601) that over-expresses toluene dioxygenase provided the corresponding cis-dihydrodiol 19, which served as a starting material for both enantiomers of codeine. The key intermediate for the synthesis of (+)-codeine was diol 25b, whose Mitsunobu coupling with bromoisovanillin was followed by an intramolecular Heck cyclization to aldehyde 35b. Elaboration of this material to vinyl bromide 27b allowed for the second Heck cyclization 36b. Adjustment of the C-6 stereogenic center and hydroamination completed the synthesis of ent-codeine in 14 steps from β-bromoethylbenzene. Diol 33b was converted via Mitsunobu reaction to epoxide 29, whose allylic opening with bromoisovanillin provided ether 54, the enantiomer of 35b. The synthesis of (−)-codeine was completed via two Heck cyclizations and a hydroamination protocol, in an analogous manner as that of ent-codeine. In addition, both enantiomers of epoxide 29, convenient precursors for the coupling with bromoisovanillin, were prepared from diol 33b by Mitsunobu reactions and cyclizations of the trans-diol moiety. Spectral and experimental data are provided for all compounds.     

Three New ent‐Trachylobane Diterpenoids from Co‐cultures of the Calli of Trewia nudiflora and Fusarium sp. WXE

Five diterpenoids, including three new ent‐trachylobane diterpenoids, i.e., (3α)‐3‐hydroxy‐ent‐trachylobane‐17,19‐dioic acid 19‐methyl ester ( 1 ), ent‐trachylobane‐17,19‐dioic acid 19‐methyl ester ( 2 ), ent‐trachylobane‐17,19‐dioic acid ( 3 ), and two known atisane‐type ones, i.e., (16α)‐16,17‐dihydroxy‐ent‐atisan‐19‐oic acid methyl ester ( 4 ), and 17‐hydroxy‐ent‐atisan‐19‐oic acid methyl ester ( 5 ), were isolated from the co‐culture extract of the calli of Trewia nudiflora and its endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. WXE. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, and HR‐Q‐TOF mass spectrometry. The antitumor and antibacterial properties of the new compounds were evaluated.     

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Diterpenes from Euphorbia antiquorum Growing in Vietnam

Bioactive-guided phytochemical investigation of Euphorbia antiquorum L. growing in Vietnam led to the isolation of five ent-atisanes, one seco-ent-atisane, and one lathyrane (ingol-type). The structures were elucidated as ent-1α,3α,16β,17-tetrahydroxyatisane (1), ethyl ent-3,4-seco-4,16β,17-trihydroxyatisane-3-carboxylate (2), ent-atisane-3-oxo-16β,17-acetonide (3), ent-3α-acetoxy-16β,17-dihydroxyatisane (4), ent-16β,17-dihydroxyatisane-3-one (5), calliterpenone (6), and ingol 12-acetate (7). Their chemical structures were unambiguously determined by analysis of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high resolution mass spectrometry, as well as by comparison with literature data. Among them, 1 is a new compound while 2 is an ethylated artifact of ent-3,4-seco-4,16β,17-trihydroxyatisane-3-carboxylic acid, a new compound. Isolates were evaluated for alpha-glucosidase inhibition. Compound 3 showed the most significant inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ value of 69.62 µM. Further study on mechanism underlying yeast alpha-glucosidase inhibition indicated that 3 could retard the enzyme function by noncompetitive.     

Bridged-ring products from the acyloin-like cyclization of diterpenoid keto-esters

Bridged-ring structures are readily formed from acyloin-like cyclization of suitably constituted keto esters. thus reaction of the keto ester ent-seco-kauranoid derivatives 1 and 2 with Na-liquid NH₃ affords mixtures of ent-kaurane, ent-beyerane and dimeric products.     

The biosynthesis of aureothin

Feeding experiments with specifically labelled precursors show that the nitroaromatic, C-6-C-1 unit of the antibiotic aureothin (9) biologically derives by degradation of the C-6-C-3, phenylpropanoid precursor D,L-p-aminophenylalanine (1) through hydroxylation β to the nitrogen to erythro and threop-aminophenylserine (3 and 4). During the biosynthesis there is the loss of the hydrogen originally present in benzylic position in the phenylpropanoid precursor, and, further, the oxidation of the p-amino group to p-nitro takes place very late in the sequence.     

New hydrophosphoryl compounds derived from ent-16-oxobeyeran-19-oic acid

A number of 16-hydroxy derivatives were obtained from ent-16-oxobeyeran-19-oic acid, O-phosphorylation of which with subsequent hydrolysis led to the corresponding hydrophosphoryl compounds. Their diastereomeric composition was studied.     

Strategy for synthesis of the isoleucine conjugate of epi-jasmonic acid

The TES ether of 2-((1R,2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-2-((Z)-pent-2-enyl)cyclopentyl)acetic acid (5, equal to the reduction product of epi-jasmonic acid) derived from (1R,4S)-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-enyl acetate (19) in 13 steps was activated by using isobutyl chloroformate and was subjected to condensation with isoleucine at room temperature for 48 h. The product was desilylated and oxidized to the isoleucine conjugate of epi-jasmonic acid in 68% yield over three steps. Similarly, allo-isoleucine conjugate of epi-jasmonic acid and three isoleucine conjugates of ent-epi-jasmonic acid, jasmonic acid, and ent-jasmonic acid were synthesized.