Absolute structure of shoreaketone: a rotational isomeric resveratrol tetramer in Dipterocarpaceaeous plants

A rotational isomeric shoreaketone (1), identified as a skeletal member of resveratrol tetramers, was isolated from three species of Dipterocarpaceaeous plants: Shorea uliginosa, Shorea hemsleyana, and Vateria indica. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including NMR experiments and their absolute configurations determined based on circular dichroism data. Shoreaketone has 10 asymmetric carbons and a framework of fused heptacyclic ring system including a spiro ring and an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group that has not been reported in any other natural product. NMR experiments using shoreaketone indicate the presence of two conformers due to restricted rotation of a C–C bond in solution. The complex stereochemistry is due to its skeleton, 10 asymmetric carbons, and a chiral axis. The conformations of rotational isomeric stilbenoid were studied by variable-temperature NMR, ROESY, a skeletal conversion. The coexistence of two conformers for shoreaketone (1) was confirmed to be 1a and 1b, in which the diaryl-dihydrobenzofuran moiety (unit 1B) is extended below or above the plane of the cyclopentane ring (unit 1A), respectively.     

Pleosporalesones A–B,two unique polyketides isolated from Pleosporales sp.

Two unique polyketides, pleosporalesones A–B (1–2), bearing an unusual 6/6/7/6 tetracyclic ring system consisting of a chromone ring and a benzoannulated cycloheptanone ring, were isolated from the solid cultures of Pleosporales sp.. The chemical structures were elucidated by analyses of their extensive spectroscopic data, including 1D/2D NMR, ORD, CD and HR-ESI-MS, and the absolute configurations were established by comparison of their experimental circular dichroism data with those calculated. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for pleosporalesones A–B was proposed.     

Absolute configuration assignment of caffeic acid ester derivatives from Tithonia diversifolia by vibrational circular dichroism: the pitfalls of deuteration

Recently, it was observed that infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) calculations including deuterated hydroxyl groups in phenolic and saccharide moieties improved significantly the agreement with experimental data obtained in methanol-d₄. In the present study, the relative and absolute configurations of three methanol-soluble caffeic acid ester derivatives 1–3, isolated from Tithonia diversifolia, were established by a combined use of experimental and calculated ¹³C NMR chemical shifts, as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and VCD spectroscopies. Interestingly, the attempt to reproduce the deuteration pattern arising from possible isotopic exchange in methanol-d₄ solution led to nearly mirror image calculated VCD spectra for 1 when compared to the non-deuterated molecule with the same absolute configuration. This latter fact can potentially lead to absolute configuration misassignments. A closer inspection of the vibrational chiroptical properties of 1 revealed that the deuteration status of the tertiary hydroxyl group at C-2 is critical for the correct reproduction of experimental VCD data in protic solvents. Therefore, in the case of stereochemical analysis of polar chiral natural product molecules, a combination of VCD and ECD is recommended.     

Spongiains A-C: Three new spongian diterpenes with ring A rearrangement from the marine sponge Spongia sp.

Spongiains A-C (1–3), the first examples of spongian diterpenes bearing a pentacyclic skeleton composed of a fused 5/5/6/6/5 ring system through ring A rearrangement, together with four new spongian diterpenes, spongiains D-G (4–7), were isolated from the marine sponge Spongia sp.. The structures with absolute configurations of these compounds were elucidated by the methods of NMR, X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical approaches. The hypothetical biogenetic pathways as well as cytotoxic activities of 1–7 were also discussed.     

Japonicones A-C: Three lindenane sesquiterpenoid dimers with a 12-membered ring core from Chloranthus japonicus

Japonicones A–C (1–3), three new dimeric lindenane-type sesquiterpenoids featuring a rare 12-membered ring framework, were isolated from the whole plants of Chloranthus japonicus Sieb. Their structures and absolute configurations were unequivocally established by a combination of spectroscopic data, ECD calculation, and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their DNA Topoisomerase Ⅰ (Top1) inhibitory, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activities.     

A chiral 1,4-oxazin-2-one: asymmetric synthesis versus resolution,structure, conformation and VCD absolute configuration

1,4-Oxazin-2-one 3 is obtained from 2-pinanone in 4 steps and 78% overall yield. Enantiopure (e.e. >99%) (R)-(+)-3 and (S)-(−)-3 were obtained through chiral supercritical fluid chromatography (using a semi preparative Chiralpak AS column) with almost quantitative recovery of material. The structure and the boat-conformation of the lactone ring have been determined by NMR and the absolute configuration determined by VCD.     

Stereoselective oxidation of gem-disulphides with aspergillus niger

A strain of Aspergillus niger was used to prepare optically active gem-disulphide S-oxides 2 and 3 and the (s)-meso-disulphoxide 4. The structural assignment was made by intercorrelating the senses of NMR non-equivalence in pseudoasymmetric disulphoxides 4 and 5 of established configurations with the configurationally related monosulphoxides 2 and 3. The enantiomeric composition and absolute configurations were determined using the chiral solvent NMR method. The stereoselectivity in the microbial oxidation was found to be independent of the configuration of the incipient chiral centre at carbon.     

Glabralides A – C,three novel meroterpenoids from Sarcandra glabra

Glabralides A–C (1–3), three novel meroterpenoids including two unprecedented skeletons were isolated from the whole plants of Sarcandra glabra. Glabralide A (1) represented a unique skeleton of the chalcone-coupled monoterpenoid, bearing a bicyclo [2.2.2] octene core unit with five chiral centers. The structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR experiments, and the absolute configurations were determined using circular dichroic (CD) spectra. The plausible biogenetic pathway for 1 suggested that α-phellandrene was conjugated with chalcone by Diels-Alder cyclization, and for 3 implied that α-phellandrene and o-hydroxy phenylacetate cyclized by an uncommon radical addition and cationic cyclization.     

Are the absolute configurations of 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-chromen-4-one and its 6-bromo derivative determined by X-ray crystallography correct? A vibrational circular dichroism study of their acetate derivatives

The vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of the acetate derivative, 3, of 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-chromen-4-one, 1, and the acetate derivative, 4, of 6-bromo-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-chromen-4-one, 2, in the CO stretching region are reported. Density functional theory (DFT) predictions of the VCD spectra of the CO stretching modes of (R)-3 and (R)-4 are in excellent agreement with the experimental spectra for (+)-3 and (+)-4, demonstrating that the absolute configurations of both molecules are (R)-(+)/(S)-(−). Since acetylation of (+)-1 and (+)-2 yields (+)-3 and (+)-4, this in turn leads to (R)-(+)/(S)-(−) for both 1 and 2. The absolute configurations of (−)-1 and (−)-2 were previously determined using X-ray crystallography to be R and S, respectively. Our results lead to the conclusion that the previously reported absolute configuration of 1 is incorrect.This work is the first to apply the ‘conformational rigidification via chemical derivatisation’ methodology to the determination of absolute configuration using VCD spectroscopy and illustrates its utility in determining the absolute configurations of chiral alcohols and, by extension, other classes of chiral molecules containing flexible functional groups.     

Methyl 2-naphthoates from a traditional Chinese herb Morinda officinalis var. officinalis

Fifteen methyl 2-naphthoate derivatives (1–15), including 11 previously undescribed ones (1–10 and 13), have been isolated from the roots of a well-known Chinese herb, Morinda officinalis var. officinalis. The structures of these isolates were determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and 12 of them were identified as six pairs of enantiomers (1–12). While the relative configurations of 1 and 5 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis and calculated ¹³C NMR data, respectively, the absolute configurations of 1–12 were established via interpretation of experimental and computed ECD data. Compounds 1–4 possessed a novel heterocylic bridge ring system incorporating a 2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene motif. Our biological evaluations revealed that (−)-mornaphthoate E (9) showed significant cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and A549, IC₅₀ 1–10 μM), while (−)-mornaphthoate A (2) displayed mild inhibition against butyrylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ 37.98 ± 1.98 μM).     

Synthesis of the enantiomers of 4-substituted γ-lactones with known absolute configuration

The highly pure enantiomers of several 4-alkyl (or alkenyl)-γ-lactones of known absolute configuration were synthesized from glutamic acid enantiomers. The key step is selective tosylate displacement rather than ring opening of the lactone tosylate (7→1) by lithium dialkylcuprate or dialkenylcuprate. The enantiomeric purity of synthesized γ-caprolactone was confirmed within the limitations of Pirkle's chiral solvating agent. The enantiomers of synthesized (Z)-6-dodecen-4-olide were used for reference to determine the enantiomeric composition of the pheromone isolated from the black-tailed deer.     

Antifouling and cytotoxic constituents from the South China Sea sponge Acanthella cavernosa

A bioassay-guided chemical investigation of the South China Sea sponge Acanthella cavernosa resulted in the isolation of eight new diterpenoids, kalihinols M–T (1–8), together with seven known analogues (9–15). These compounds featured a trans-decalin ring bearing a tetrahydrofuran or a tetrahydropyran ring at C-7. Compounds 1 and 2, with a formamide functionality beared at C-4, extended the structure breadth of this diterpenoid family. The absolute stereostructures of 1–14 were determined by a combination of 2D NMR and CD spectroscopic analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 were confirmed to have the configurations of 4S, 5S, whereas 3–14 were determined as 4R, 5R. Compounds 3–14 displayed significant antifouling activity against the barnacle Balanus amphitrite larvae, and the cytotoxic activities of 3–14 were evaluated against the H1299, A549, PC3, CT-26, and HCT-116 cancer cell lines.     

Phthalide-derived oxaspiroangelioic acids A–C with an unprecedented carbon skeleton from an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root head

Three phthalide-derived analogues, oxaspiroangelioic acids A–C (1–3), were isolated as minor components of an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root heads (guitou). Oxaspiroangelioic acids A and B were racemates separated into enantiomers by chiral HPLC. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction, exciton chirality method and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. These compounds share an undescribed carbon skeleton, for which biosynthetic pathways are proposed. Compound 1 and its enantiomers showed almost identical activity inhibiting Tandem of P domains in a weak inwardly rectifying K⁺ channel 1 (TREK-1).     

7-β- and 10-β-Hydroxylated congeners of CAF-603; elucidation of absolute configuration of CAF-603 family,and their SAR studies in the anti-fungal activity

Novel 7-β- and 10-β-hydroxylated congeners of CAF-603 (4 and 5, respectively) were isolated from Trichoderma crassum. Relative configuration of 4 was determined by NOE experiments. Stereochemistry of 7-β-hydroxy group in 5 was established by a combination of vicinal ³J_H–H analyses and quantum chemical calculations. Absolute configurations of 4 and 5 were established by observing the Cotton effects of their bis(2-naphthoate) esters. T. crassum also produce known CAF-603 (1), 14-hydroxy and 8,9-β-epoxy derivatives (2 and 3, respectively). Present study first established the absolute configuration of CAF-603 family by taking their biosyntheses into account. Preliminary biological experiments revealed that the molecular target strictly recognizes the β-side of the cycloheptane ring.     

Autoassembling of the cage structures

Enantiomeric dilactones ((1R,4R)-(+)-1 and (1S,4S)-(-)-1) of αα′-dihydroxy-αα′-di-tert-butylglutaric acid have been prepared. The Cotton effect sign of the n→π*-transition of the lactone chromophore in enantiomers1 is determined by the contribution of the uncompensated bonds of the δ-dilactone ring, but not by that of the γ-monolactone ring of1. The correlation of the Cotton effect sign of the n→π*-transition with the chirality of the cage structure and the absolute configuration for the series of 1,4-dialkyldilactones of type1 has been suggested. The contribution of the pseudo-a-oriented amide group to, the Cotton effect sign of the lactone n→π*-transition (the effect of the third chiral sphere) in diastereomeric lactonamides2a,b predominates over that of the nonplanar bonds of the heterocycle (over the effect of the second chiral sphere).     

The structure and chemistry of pebrolide,desacetylpebrolide and 1-deoxypebrolide,sesquiterpene benzoates from penicillium brevicompactum

The structure of three new drimane sesquiterpenes (1–3) has been established from chemical and spectroscopic evidence and by single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis of 7. Ring B in the crystal of 7 is in a chair conformation, slightly distorted because of cis fusion to the lactone ring and because three β axial substituents are present. NMR evidence suggests that the preferred conformation in solution is similar.     

Aphanalides A–H,ring A-seco limonoids from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya

Eight new ring A-seco limonoids, aphanalides A–H (1–8) were isolated from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya. Aphanalides A–C (1–3) are the first examples of ring A-seco limonoids with an unusual oxetane ring between C-7 and C-14. The structures of aphanalide A (1) and aphanalide C (3) were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray studies. Their structures including absolute stereochemistry were established on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis, by comparison of experimental and calculated electron circular dichroism (ECD) and by X-ray diffraction, representing the first report of assignment of absolute configuration of such type ring A-seco limonoids. The biogenetic origin of aphanalides A–D (1–4) from aphanalides E–H (5–8) was also postulated.     

New chiral monodentate phospholane ligands by highly stereoselective hydrophosphination

New chiral phospholanes 6 were prepared in both enantiomeric forms starting from l- and d-tartaric acid. The key step in the synthetic sequence is the double hydrophosphination of unsaturated chiral bis(lactone) 9 by NaPhPH(BH₃). This method was used for the first time in the formation of chiral phospholanes. The structure of phospholane 6a was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. σ-Donor properties of the phospholanes were estimated by measurement of ¹J(³¹P–⁷⁷Se) coupling constants in the corresponding phosphine selenides. The new phospholanes were tested as ligands in the Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of functionalized standard olefins (65–92% ee).     

A general method for the synthesis of enantiopure aliphatic chain alcohols with established absolute configurations. Part 1. Application of the MαNP acid method to acetylene alcohols

A method using (S)-(+)-2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid 1 (MαNP acid) has been applied to acetylene alcohols 4–14 to determine their absolute configurations by ¹H NMR anisotropy and/or X-ray crystallography. Diastereomeric MαNP esters prepared from racemic acetylene alcohols and (S)-(+)-MαNP acid 1 were easily separable by HPLC on silica gel. From the ¹H NMR anisotropy Δδ data of separated diastereomeric MαNP esters {Δδ = δ (R,X) − δ(S,X) = δ(2nd fr.) − δ(1st fr.)}, the absolute configurations of the first eluted esters were determined. This MαNP acid method has been successfully applied to various acetylene alcohols 4–12 and 14. In the case of MαNP esters 21b, 24a, and 26a, their absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallography, which confirmed the absolute configuration assignments performed by ¹H NMR anisotropy. These acetylene alcohol MαNP esters can serve as key intermediates for the synthesis of enantiopure aliphatic chain alcohols with established absolute configurations as described in Part 2 of this series.     

Four new norlignan glycoside isomers from the twigs of Cephalotaxus oliveri Mast.

Four novel isomers of norlignan glycoside were isolated from Cephalotaxus oliveri Mast.. Their structures were elucidated as 3S-4″-O-β-d-glucopyranosylnyasol 1, 3S-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylnyasol 2, 3S-4″-O-β-d-glucopyranosylhinokiresinol 3, 3S-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylhinokiresinol 4 by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, ¹H–¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) along with HR-ESIMS and comparison to literature data. Their absolute configurations were elucidated through CD spectra coupled with the quantum chemical CD calculations.