A comparison of 3,4,6a,7,10,10a‐hexahydro‐7,10‐epoxypyrimido[2,1‐a]isoindol‐6(2H)‐one and 2‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐1H‐4,7‐epoxyisoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione: structural and reactivity differences of two homologous tricyclic imides

The crystal structures of 3,4,6a,7,10,10a‐hexahydro‐7,10‐epoxypyrimido[2,1‐a]isoindol‐6(2H)‐one, C₁₁H₁₂N₂O₂, and 2‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐1H‐4,7‐epoxyisoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione, C₁₀H₁₂N₂O₃, two tricyclic imides, show one and two molecules in the asymmetric unit, respectively. Intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions are observed in both compounds.     

Characterization of novel isobenzofuranones by DFT calculations and 2D NMR analysis

Phthalides are frequently found in naturally occurring substances and exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. In the search for compounds with insecticidal activity, phthalides have been used as versatile building blocks for the syntheses of novel potential agrochemicals. In our work, the Diels–Alder reaction between furan‐2(5H)‐one and cyclopentadiene was used successfully to obtain (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aS,4R,7S,7aR)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 2 ) and (3aS,4S,7R,7aR)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aR,4R,7S,7aS)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 3 ). The endo adduct ( 2 ) was brominated to afford (3aR,4R,5R,7R,7aS,8R)‐5,8‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aS,4S,5S,7S,7aR,8S)‐5,8‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 4 ) and (3aS,4R,5R,6S,7S,7aR)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aR,4S,5S,6R,7R,7aS)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 5 ). Following the initial analysis of the NMR spectra and the proposed two novel unforeseen products, we have decided to fully analyze the classical and non‐classical assay structures with the aid of computational calculations. Computation to predict the ¹³C and ¹H chemical shifts for mean absolute error analyses have been carried out by gauge‐including atomic orbital method at M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p) levels of theory for all viable conformers. Characterization of the novel unforeseen compounds ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) were not possible by employing only the experimental NMR data; however, a more conclusive structural identification was performed by comparing the experimental and theoretical ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts by mean absolute error and DP4 probability analyses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cadinene Derivatives from Eupatorium adenophorum

A new norsesquiterpene named eupatorone (= (4S,4aR,6R)‐1‐acetyl‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐4,4a,5,6‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐dimethylnaphthalen‐2(3H)‐one; 1 ) and a new sesquiterpene derivative named 2‐deoxo‐2‐(acetyloxy)‐9‐oxoageraphorone (= (1R,4S,4aR,6R,8aS)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐3,4,4a,5,6,8a‐hexahydro‐4,7‐dimethyl‐1‐(1‐methylethyl)naphthalen‐2(1H)‐one; 2 ), together with the five known cadinene derivatives 3 – 7 were isolated from the flower of Eupatorium adenophorum (Spreng. ). Their structures were established by extensive NMR experiments, including 1D and 2D NMR.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Conformation of 2′,3′‐Fused Oxathiane and Thiomorpholine Uridines

The syntheses of two 2′,3′‐fused bicyclic nucleoside analogues, i.e., 1‐[(4aR,5R,7R,7aS)‐hexahydro‐5‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4,4‐dioxidofuro[3,4‐b][1,4]oxathiin‐7‐yl]pyrimidine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione ( 1a ) and 1‐[(4aS,5R,7R,7aS)‐hexahydro‐7‐(hydroxymethyl)‐1,1‐dioxido‐2H‐furo[3,4‐b][1,4]thiazin‐5‐yl]pyrimidine‐ 2,4(1H,3H)‐dione ( 1b ), are described, the key step being an intramolecular hetero‐Michael addition. Their structures and conformations, previously solved by X‐ray crystallography, were analyzed in more detail, using 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR as well as HR‐MS analyses.     

Precursors to dodecahedrane

The title compounds, (2R,2′′S,3b′S,4a′R,7b′S,8a′R)‐per­hydro­di­spiro­[furan‐2,3′‐di­cyclo­penta­[a,e]­pentalene‐7′,2′′‐furan]‐5,5′′‐dione, C₂₀H₂₆O₄, and (3aR,3bR,4aR,4bS,5aS,8aR,8bR,9aR,9bS,10aS)‐per­hydro­dipentaleno­[2,1‐a:2′,1′‐e]­pentalene‐1,6‐dione, C₂₀H₂₆O₂, are intermediates identified during the synthesis of dodecahedrane. Crystallographic studies have established the ring‐junction stereochemistry for these important intermediates. All the ring junctions are cis‐fused, and the molecular packing is stabilized by van der Waals interactions.     

Samaderin B and C from Samadera indica

Samaderin B, or (1R,2S,5R,5aR,7aS,11S,11aS,11bR,14S)‐1,7,7a,11,11a,11b‐hexa­hydro‐1,11‐di­hydroxy‐8,11a,14‐tri­methyl‐2H‐5a,2,5‐(methan­oxy­metheno)­naphth­[1,2‐d]­oxepine‐4,6,10(5H)‐trione, C₁₉H₂₂O₇, and samaderin C, or (1R,2S,5R,5aR,7aS,10S,11S,11aS,11bR,14S)‐7,7a,10,11,11a,11b‐hexa­hydro‐1,10,11‐tri­hydroxy‐8,11a,14‐tri­methyl‐2H‐5a,2,5‐(methan­oxy­metheno)­naphth­[1,2‐d]­oxepine‐4,6(1H,5H)‐dione, C₁₉H₂₄O₇, were isolated from the seed kernels of Samadera indica and were shown to exhibit antifeedant activity against Spodoptera litura third‐instar larvae. The replacement of the carbonyl group in samaderin B by a hydroxy group in samaderin C causes conformational changes at the substitution site, but the overall conformation is not affected; however, the compounds pack differently in the crystal lattice.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Complicated Bicyclic and Tricyclic Polypropanoates via the Double Diels‐Alder Addition of 2,2′‐Ethylidenebis[3,5‐dimethylfuran]

A new, non‐iterative method for the asymmetric synthesis of long‐chain and polycyclic polypropanoate fragments starting from 2,2′‐ethylidenebis[3,5‐dimethylfuran] ( 2 ) has been developed. Diethyl (2E,5E)‐4‐oxohepta‐2,5‐dienoate ( 6 ) added to 2 to give a single meso‐adduct 7 containing nine stereogenic centers. Its desymmetrization was realized by hydroboration with (+)‐IpcBH₂ (isopinocampheylborane), leading to diethyl (1S,2R,3S,4S,4aS,7R,8R,8aR,9aS,10R,10aR)‐1,3,4,7,8,8a,9,9a‐octahydro‐3‐hydroxy‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐9‐oxo‐2H,10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐1,8‐dicarboxylate ((+)‐ 8 ; 78% e.e.). Alternatively, 7 was converted to meso‐(1R,2R,4R,4aR,5S,7S,8S,8aR,9aS,10s,10aS)‐1,8‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐1,8,8a,9a‐tetrahydro‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐2H‐10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐3,6,9(4H,5H,7H)‐trione ( 32 ) that was reduced enantioselectively by BH₃ catalyzed by methyloxazaborolidine 19 derived from L ‐diphenylprolinol giving (1S,2S,4S,4aS,5S,6R,7R,8R,8aS,9aR,10R,10aS)‐1,8‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐1,8,8a,9a‐tetrahydro‐6‐hydroxy‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐2H,10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐3,9(4H,7H)‐dione ((−)‐ 33 ; 90% e.e.). Chemistry was explored to carry out chemoselective 7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanone oxa‐ring openings and intra‐ring C−C bond cleavage. Polycyclic polypropanoates such as (1R,2S,3R,4R,4aR,5S,6R,7S,8R,9R,10R,11S,12aR)‐1‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a‐decahydro‐3,11‐dihydroxy‐2,4,5,7,9‐pentamethyl‐12‐oxo‐2H,5H‐2,4a : 6,9 : 6,11‐triepoxybenzocyclodecene‐10,8‐carbolactone ( 51 ), (1S,2R,3R,4R,4aS,5S,7S,8R,9R,10R,12S,12aS)‐1,10‐bis(acetoxymethyl)tetradecahydro‐8‐(methoxymethoxy)‐2,4,5,7,9‐pentamethyl‐3,9‐bis{[2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methoxy}‐6,11‐epoxycyclodecene‐4a,6,11,12‐tetrol ((+)‐ 83 ), and (1R,2R,3R,4aR,4bR,5S,6R, 7R,8R,8aS,9S,10aR)‐3,5‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐4a,8a‐dihydroxy‐1‐(methoxymethoxy)‐2,6,8,9,10a‐pentamethyl‐2,7‐bis{[2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methoxy}dodecahydrophenanthrene‐4,10‐dione ( 85 ) were obtained in few synthetic steps.     

Regioselective Short Synthesis of Epiisoborneol Neopentyl Ether as Chiral Auxiliary: An Absolute Configuration Reset

The regio-selective four step synthesis of (1S,2R,3S,4R)-4,7,7-trimethyl-3-(neopentyloxy)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol, as recognized efficient chiral auxiliary, is presented. The strategy based on opening of the key acetal 15 (=(2S,3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-tert-butyl-4,8,8-trimethylhexahydro-2H-4,7-methano-1,3-benzodioxole) thus circumvents the poor reactivity of the neopentyl electrophile under alkylation conditions. Following the same strategy, but using the unreported acetal 22 (=(2R,3aS,4S,7R,7aR)-2-tert-butyl-4,8,8-trimethylhexahydro-2H-4,7-methano-1,3-benzodioxole), the corresponding unreported bis-endo alcohol 23 (=(1R,2R,3S,4S)-3-(2,2-dimethylpropoxy)-4,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol) could be isolated only in poor yield. An alternative regioselective synthesis, including an ultimate endo-reduction remains to be found. Several erroneous chiroptical properties from the literature are corrected.     

Three ginkgolide hydrates from Ginkgo biloba L.: ginkgolide A monohydrate,ginkgolide C sesquihydrate and ginkgolide J dihydrate,all determined at 120 K

A low‐temperature structure of ginkgolide A monohydrate, (1R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11aS)‐3‐(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐4,7b‐di­hydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxymethano‐1H,6aH‐cyclo­penta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]­furo­[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclopenta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione monohydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₉·H₂O, obtained from Mo Kα data, is a factor of three more precise than the previous room‐temperature determination. A refinement of the ginkgolide A monohydrate structure with Cu Kα data has allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration of the series of compounds. Ginkgolide C sesquihydrate, (1S,2R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11S,11aR)‐3‐(1,1‐di­methyl­ethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,7b,11‐tetrahydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxy­methano‐1H,6aH‐cyclopenta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]­furo­[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclo­penta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione sesquihydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₁₁·1.5H₂O, has two independent diterpene mol­ecules, both of which exhibit intramolecular hydrogen bonding between OH groups. Ginkgolide J dihydrate, (1S,2R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11aS)‐3‐(1,1‐di­methyl­ethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,7b‐tri­hydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxy­methano‐1H,6aH‐cyclo­penta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]furo[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclo­penta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione dihydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₁₀·2H₂O, has the same basic skeleton as the other ginkgolides, with its three OH groups having the same configurations as those in ginkgolide C. The conformations of the six five‐membered rings are quite similar across ­ginkgolides A–C and J, except for the A and F rings of ginkgolide A.     

Plumeridoid C from the Amazonian traditional medicinal plant Himatanthus sucuuba

The stereochemistry of the iridoid plumeridoid C, C₁₅H₁₈O₇, was established by X‐ray single‐crystal structure analysis, giving (2′R,3R,4R,4aS,7aR)‐methyl 3‐hydroxy‐4′‐[(S)‐1‐hydroxyethyl]‐5′‐oxo‐3,4,4a,7a‐tetrahydro‐1H,5′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[c]pyran‐7,2′‐furan]‐4‐carboxylate. The absolute structure of the title compound was determined on the basis of the Flack x parameter and Bayesian statistics on Bijvoet differences. The hydrogen‐bond donor and acceptor functions of the two hydroxy groups are employed in the formation of O—H...O‐bonded helical chains.     

Terpenoids from Croton regelianus

Two new terpenoids, the bisnorditerpene rel‐(5β,8α,10α)‐8‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐9(11),13‐diene‐3,12‐dione ( 1 ) and the guaiane sesquiterpene rel‐(1R,4S,6R,7S,8aR)‐decahydro‐1‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4,9,9‐trimethyl‐4,7‐(epoxymethano)azulen‐6‐ol ( 2 ), together with seven known compounds, were isolated from Croton regelianus var. matosii. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HR‐ESI‐TOF and a combination of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.     

Simvastatin

Simvastatin, or (1S,3R,7S,8S,8aR)‐8‐{2‐[(2R,4R)‐4‐hydroxy‐6‐oxo‐3,4,5,6‐tetra­hydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐yl]­ethyl}‐3,7‐di­methyl‐1,2,3,7,8,8a‐hexa­hydro­naphthalen‐1‐yl 2,2‐di­methyl­butan­oate, C₂₅H₃₈O₅, is almost isostructural with lovastatin, and the general conformational features are closely related to those of other reported crystal structures of statins. The only hydrogen bond present facilitates the formation of infinite chains of mol­ecules along the b axis.     

Mechanistic and Synthetic Studies on the Formation of 1,2,4-Trioxanes Related to Arteannuin. Photooxygenation of a bicyclic dihydropyran

The photooxygenation of (4R,4aS,7R)-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-3H-2-benzopyran ( 16 ) was performed in (i) MeOH, (ii) acetaldehyde, and (iii) acetone at ?78°. The products obtained respectively were (i) (2R)-2-[(1S,4R)-4-methyl-2-oxocyclohexyl]propyl formate ( 17 ; 72% yield), (ii) 17 (54.5%), (1R,4R,4aS,7R)-3,4,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1H-2-benzopyran-2-yl hydroperoxide ( 19 ; 16.7%), a 12:1 ratio of (3R,4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,7,10-trimethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4-trioxane ( 20 ) and its C(3)-epimer 21 (17%), together with evidence for the 1,2-dioxetane ( 22 ) originating from the addition of dioxygen to the re-re face of the double bond of 16 , and iii) unidentified products and traces of 22 . Addition of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me₃SiOTf) to the acetone solution of 16 after photooxygenation afforded (4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,3,7,10-tetramethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4,-trioxane ( 23 , 40%). The photooxygenation of 16 in CH₂Cl₂ at ?78° followed by addition of acetone and Me₃SiOTf afforded 17 (11%), 23 (59%), and (4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,3,7,10-tetramethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[8a,1-e]-1,2,4-trioxane ( 24 ; 5%. Repetition of the last experiment, but replacing acetone by cyclopentanone, gave 17 (16%), (4′aR,7′R,7′aS,10′R,11′aR)-7′,7′a,8′,9′,10′,11′-hexahydro-7′,10′-dimethylspiro[cyclopentane-1,3′-6′H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4-trixane] ( 25 ; 61%), and (4′aR,7′R,7′aS,10′R,11′aR)-7′,7′a,8′,9′,10′,11′-hexahydro-7′,10′-dimethylspiro[cyclopentane-1,3′-6′H-[2]benzopyrano[8a,1-e]-1,2,4-trixane] ( 26 , 4%). The X-ray analysis of 23 was performed, which together with the NMR data, established the structure of the trioxanes 20, 21, 24, 25 , and 26 . Mechanistic and synthesis aspects of these reactions were discussed in relation to the construction of the 1,2,4-trioxane ring in arteannuin and similar molecules.     

Two androsterone derivatives as inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis

The title compounds, (3R,5S,5′R,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐5′‐(2‐methylpropyl)tetradecahydro‐6′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐3,2′‐[1,4]oxazinane]‐6′,17(2H)‐dione, C₂₆H₄₁NO₃, (I), and methyl (2R)‐2‐[(3R,5S,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐2′,17‐dioxohexadecahydro‐3′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐3,5′‐[1,3]oxazolidin‐3′‐yl]]‐4‐methylpentanoate, C₂₈H₄₃NO₅, (II), possess the typical steroid shape (A–D rings), but they differ in their extra E ring. The azalactone E ring in (I) shows a half‐chair conformation, while the carbamate E ring of (II) is planar. The orientation of the E‐ring substituent is clearly established and allows a rationalization of the biological results obtained with such androsterone derivatives.     

Four novel spirooxazacamphorsultam derivatives

The chiral compounds (6aS,9S,10aR)‐11,11‐dimethyl‐5,5‐dioxo‐2,3,8,9‐tetrahydro‐6H‐6a,9‐methanooxazaolo[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐10(7H)‐one, C₁₂H₁₇NO₄S, (1), (7aS,10S,11aR)‐12,12‐dimethyl‐6,6‐dioxo‐3,4,9,10‐tetrahydro‐7H‐7a,10‐methano‐2H‐1,3‐oxazino[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐11(8H)‐one, C₁₃H₁₉NO₄S, (2), (6aS,9S,10R,10aR)‐11,11‐dimethyl‐5,5‐dioxo‐2,3,7,8,9,10‐hexahydro‐6H‐6a,9‐methanooxazolo[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐10‐ol, C₁₂H₁₉NO₄S, (3), and (7aS,10S,11R,11aR)‐12,12‐dimethyl‐6,6‐dioxo‐3,4,8,9,10,11‐hexahydro‐7H‐7a‐methano‐2H‐[1,3]oxazino[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐11‐ol, C₁₃H₂₁NO₄S, (4), consist of a camphor core with a five‐membered spirosultaoxazolidine or six‐membered spirosultaoxazine, as both their keto and hydroxy derivatives. In each structure, the molecules are linked via hydrogen bonding to the sulfonyl O atoms, forming chains in the unit‐cell b‐axis direction. The chains interconnect via weak C—H...O interactions. The keto compounds have very similar packing but represent the highest melting [507–508 K for (1)] and lowest melting [457–458 K for (2)] solids.     

Stereochemical Course of the Formation of the C(7)‐Formyl Group from a Chiral Methyl Group during the Transformation of Chlorophyllide a into Chlorophyllide b

The biosynthesis of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b from (2R,3R)‐ and (2S,3S)‐5‐amino[2,3‐¹⁴C₂,2,3‐²H₂,2,3‐³H₂]levulinic acid in greening barley has established that chlorophyllide a oxidase catalyses the transformation of the methyl group at C(7) of chlorophyllide a into the CHO group of chlorophyllide b with the loss of H^Si from the 7‐(hydroxymethyl)chlorophyllide intermediate.     

Telaprevir: helical chains based on three‐point hydrogen‐bond connections

The crystal structure of the title compound [systematic name: (1S,3aR,6aS)‐2‐((2S)‐2‐{[(2S)‐2‐cyclohexyl‐2‐(pyrazine‐2‐carbonylamino)acetyl]amino}‐3,3‐dimethylbutanoyl)‐N‐[(3S)‐1‐(cyclopropylamino)‐1,2‐dioxohexan‐3‐yl]‐3,3a,4,5,6,6a‐hexahydro‐1H‐cyclopenta[c]pyrrole‐1‐carboxamide], C₃₆H₅₃N₇O₆, contains two independent molecules, which possess distinct conformations and a disordered cyclopenta[c]pyrrolidine unit. In the crystal, molecules are linked into helical chains via three‐point N—H...O hydrogen‐bond connections in which three NH and three carbonyl groups per molecule are utilized. The chiralities of the six stereocentres per molecule inferred from this study are in agreement with the synthetic procedure.     

X‐Ray Structure Study of an Unusual 13,14,15,16‐Tetranorlabdane Derivative Obtained in the Synthesis of (7α)‐7,8‐Dihydroxy‐14,15‐dinorlabdane‐11,13‐dione

The unconventional (5S,7R,8S,9R,10S)‐configurated (?)‐7‐(acetyloxy)‐12,12‐dichloro‐8‐hydroxy‐13,14,15,16‐tetranorlabdan‐11‐one ( 2 ) was synthesized via the HCl‐promoted hydrolysis of (7α)‐7,8‐(isopropylidenedioxy)‐14,15‐dinorlabdan‐11,13‐dione ( 5 ). Possible mechanistic pathways of the reaction are considered. Crystal and molecular structures of the isolated compound 2 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of C24‐epimeric 20(R)‐ocotillol‐type saponins

Ocotillol‐type saponins have a wide spectrum of biological activities. Previous studies indicated that the configuration at the C24 position may be responsible for their stereoselectivity in pharmacological action and pharmacokinetics. Natural ocotillol‐type saponins share a 20(S)‐form but it has been found that the 20(R)‐stereoisomers have different pharmacological effects. The semisynthesis of 20(R)‐ocotillol‐type saponins has not been reported and it is therefore worthwhile clarifying their crystal structures. Two C24 epimeric 20(R)‐ocotillol‐type saponins, namely (20R,24S)‐20,24‐epoxydammarane‐3β,12β,25‐triol, C₃₀H₅₂O₄, (III), and (20R,24R)‐20,24‐epoxydammarane‐3β,12β,25‐triol monohydrate, C₃₀H₅₂O₄·H₂O, (IV), were synthesized, and their structures were elucidated by spectral studies and finally confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The (Me)C—O—C—C(OH) torsion angle of (III) is 146.41 (14)°, whereas the corresponding torsion angle of (IV) is −146.4 (7)°, indicating a different conformation at the C24 position. The crystal stacking in (III) generates an R₄⁴(8) motif, through which the molecules are linked into a one‐dimensional double chain. The chains are linked via nonclassical C—H…O hydrogen bonds into a two‐dimensional network, and further stacked into a three‐dimensional structure. In contrast to (III), epimer (IV) crystallizes as a hydrate, in which the water molecules act as hydrogen‐bond donors linking one‐dimensional chains into a two‐dimensional network through intermolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen‐bonded chains extend helically along the crystallographic a axis and generate a C₄⁴(8) motif.     

Two stereoisomeric pentacyclic oxin­dole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa: uncarine C and uncarine E

The chloro­form solvate of uncarine C (pteropodine), (1′S,3R,4′aS,5′aS,10′aS)‐1,2,5′,5′a,7′,8′,10′,10′a‐octa­hydro‐1′‐methyl‐2‐oxospiro­[3H‐indole‐3,6′(4′aH)‐[1H]­pyrano­[3,4‐f]indolizine]‐4′‐carboxyl­ic acid methyl ester, C₂₁H₂₄N₂O₄·CHCl₃, has an absolute configuration with the spiro C atom in the R configuration. Its epimer at the spiro C atom, uncarine E (isopteropodine), (1′S,3S,4′aS,5′aS,10′aS)‐1,2,5′,5′a,7′,8′,10′,10′a‐octahydro‐1′‐methyl‐2‐oxospiro[3H‐indole‐3,6′(4′aH)‐[1H]pyrano[3,4‐f]indolizine]‐4′‐carboxylic acid methyl ester, C₂₁H₂₄N₂O₄, has Z′ = 3, with no solvent. Both form intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving only the ox­indole, with N?O distances in the range 2.759 (4)–2.894 (5) Å.