Triazolopeptides: chirospecific synthesis and cis/trans prolyl ratios of structural isomers

As cis/trans prolyl isomerization plays a crucial role in various biological processes, peptide mimics capable of modifying the cis/trans Xaa-Pro ratio are of particular interest. A practical approach toward proline derived triazolopeptides employing [3+2] azide-alkyne cycloadditions as the key reaction step and the analysis of their cis/trans prolyl ratios are reported. Structural investigations indicated the adjustability of both the cis-percentage and the conformational stability toward intramolecular H-bonding effects.     

Synthesis of the Janus integer pheromone (4R,9Z)-9-octadecen-4-olide

The synthesis of (4R,9Z)-9-octadecen-4-olide 1, the female sex pheromone of Janus integer is reported using a Zipper isomerization reaction as the key step.     

Alkyl and dialkylammonium tetrafluoroborate catalyzed cis-trans isomerization of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triphenylcyclotrisiloxane

Alkyl and dialkylammonium tetrafluoroborate promoted cis-trans isomerization of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triphenylcyclotrisiloxane (1) in DMSO-d₆ were studied. The isomerization equilibrium constant K are within the range of 3.74-3.30 from 22 to 47 °C. Thermodynamic parameters of ΔH° and ΔS° for the isomerization were −0.95 kcal/mol and −0.59 cal/mol-K respectively. The isomerization rate is first order in [cis-1] and second order in [R_nNH_4−nBF₄]. Both components of R_nNH_4−n⁺ and BF₄⁻ are essential for the catalytic cis-trans isomerization. The catalytic strength follows the decreasing order of ⁺H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃⁺>n-C₈H₁₇NH₃⁺>n-C₁₆H₃₃NH₃⁺>Me₃CNH₃⁺>PhCH₂NH₃⁺>Et₂NH₂⁺?Ph₂CHNH₃⁺, Et₃NH⁺. Inversion region was observed in the plot of ln(k_f/T) versus (1/T) with the ceiling located at around 38 °C. The positive activation enthalpy of 9 kcal/mol was estimated at 22-32 °C. The activation enthalpy turns to be slightly negative at T>38 °C.     

Studies of some hydrogenated thiazolo[2,3-a]isoquinoline S-oxides

Several hydrogenated thiazolo[2,3-a]isoquinolinone S-oxides have been prepared and their stereochemistry established on the basis of spectral data analysis combined with X-ray crystallography. A reversible syn/anti isomerization of diastereomeric sulfoxides has been postulated to occur via a 10b proton abstraction.     

New synthesis of N-substituted benz[g]isoquinoline-3,5,10(2H)-triones

Various N-substituted benz[g]isoquinoline-3,5,10(2H)-triones 7 were prepared starting from vitamin K₃ (menadione) 9. The key steps involve substitution of a benzylic bromide by a primary amine and intramolecular condensation across the ester moiety of a (3-bromomethyl-naphth-2-yl)acetate 8 followed by oxidation with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) and spontaneous dehydrogenation, resulting in the title compounds 7. A selection of the synthesised new compounds was tested in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

Lyconadins C and F, new Lycopodium alkaloids from Lycopodium complanatum

New Lycopodium alkaloids, lyconadins C (1) and F (2), were isolated from the club moss Lycopodium complanatum. Lyconadin C (1) is a new C₁₆N₂-type Lycopodium alkaloid possessing unique fused-tetracyclic ring system consisting of a cycloheptene ring fused to a decahydroquinoline and pyridone rings. Lyconadin F (2) possesses a primary amide moiety in its molecular, which is the first example of Lycopodium alkaloids. Biogenetically, lyconadins C (1) and F (2) might be related to lyconadins A (4) and B (5). The structures and relative stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The absolute stereochemistry of 2 was elucidated by chemical correlations with lyconadin B (5) through hemiaminal form of lyconadin F (3).     

First straightforward synthesis of 1-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-benz[g]isochromene-5,10-dione and structure revision of a bioactive benz[g]isochromene-5,10-dione from Psychotria camponutans

For the first time, a synthesis of 1-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-benz[g]isochromene-5,10-dione (3), which is claimed to be a bioactive compound isolated from Psychotria camponutans, was achieved with a phthalide annulation reaction using 3-cyano-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone (5) and 5,6-dihydropyran-2-one (6) and subsequent reduction of the lactone moiety in the key steps. However, full spectral characterization of the synthesized target compound revealed that the isolated compound is not 1-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-benz[g]isochromene-5,10-dione (3). Structure revision shows the previously isolated compound to be the known psychorubrin (2).     

Polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivatives from Clusia obdeltifolia

Two new polyisoprenylated benzophenones along with the known compound 28,29-Epoxyplukenetione A were isolated from the hexane extract of Clusia obdeltifolia after extensive chromatographic procedures. One of the new benzophenone presented a novel 9-oxa-tetracyclic [11.3.1.0^1,10.0^3,8]heptadec-10-ene-12,17-dione moiety arising from complex cyclizations of isopentenyl and lavandulyl substituents. The other presented an adamantyl skeleton.     

Daphcalycinosidines A and B, new iridoid-alkaloids from Daphniphyllum calycinum

Three new alkaloids, daphcalycinosidines A (1) and B (2) and daphcalycic acid (3) have been isolated from the seeds of Daphniphyllum calycinum. The structures and relative stereochemistries were determined on the basis of spectral studies including 2D NMR, mass spectrometry and chemical transformations. Structures 1 and 2 are characterized by an iridoid glucoside moiety linked to new Daphniphyllum alkaloid moieties.     

Strong distortions in hexacarbonyldicobalt complexes by push-pull effects

Push-pull substituted alkynes with a thioether moiety in the α position and a sulfoxide or a sulfone moiety in the α′ position are reacted with octacarbonyldicobalt to create highly distorted hexacarbonyldicobalt complexes.     

Highly selective isomerization of N-allylamides and N-allylamines

A highly selective rhodium and ruthenium catalyzed transformation of N-allylamines and N-allylamides to the corresponding 1-propenyl derivatives is described. Strong E-selectivity in the isomerization of allylamines was observed. The first catalytic system containing a transition metal complex for Z-selective isomerization of allylamides is presented. An application of siliceous mesoporous cellular foams for effective removal of the catalyst from the post-reaction mixture is described.     

Stereoselective synthesis of methyl branched chiral deoxypropionate units: a new route for synthesis of insect pheromone (−)-lardolure and (2R,4R,6R,8R) 2,4,6,8-tetramethylundecanoic acid

(−)-Lardolure and (2R,4R,6R,8R)-2,4,6,8-tetramethylundecanoic acid have been synthesized via lipase catalyzed desymmetrization strategy to create two methyl chiral centers. Other key steps involved in the synthesis are Wittig reaction, Evan’s asymmetric alkylation, Grignard reaction, Pd-catalyzed isomerization of primary allylic alcohol to corresponding saturated aldehyde, and PhNO/proline catalyzed MacMillan α-hydroxylation.     

New pyrrolidine alkaloids from the roots of Pandanus amaryllifolius

Four new alkaloids, pandamarilactonines-E, -F, and -F-N-oxide consisting of a pyrrolidine moiety and two α-methyl-γ-lactone residues, and pandamarilactonine-G, possessing a pyrrolidinone function, were isolated from the roots of Pandanus amaryllifolius. Their structures were determined based on spectroscopic analyses and chemical syntheses.     

Biopreparation of an anti-inflammatory agent,diarctigenin, from arctiin isolated from Arctium lappa by Rhizoctonia solani AG-4

In the preliminary screening for the plant-derived pesticides against Rhizoctonia solani Kühn AG-4 (RS AG-4), the indicator compounds arctiin (1) and arctigenin (2) in methanol extracts of Arctium lappa L. were consumed and transformed to other compounds. Thus, in the present study RS AG-4 was used as a biocatalyst and the biotransformation of arctiin (1) was investigated. Conversion of arctiin (1) to arctigenin (2) was achieved by the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugar moiety. In addition, an anti-inflammatory lignan dimer reported from the Arctium species, diarctigenin (3) was afforded in good yields. The HPLC monitoring of the biotransformation process indicated the possible mechanism. It would be an excellent method to produce a large scale of diarctigenin (3) for the successive medicinal examinations.     

Efficient synthesis of 5′-O(N)-carbamyl and -polycarbamyl nucleosides

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of 5′-O(N)-carbamyl and 5′-O(N)-polycarbamyl nucleoside derivatives is reported. The method consisted of treatment of 2′,3′-O-protected purine (Ado, Ino) or pyrimidine nucleosides (Thd, Urd) with trichloroacetylisocyanate, followed by cleavage of the trichloroacetyl moiety by silica-gel promoted methanolysis during column chromatography. Iterative application of this method gave mono, di, and tricarbamyl derivatives in good to excellent yields (ave = 80%).     

A new entry to functionalized cycloalkylamines: diastereoselective intramolecular amidoalkylation of N,O-acetal TMS ether possessing allylsilane

Highly diastereoselective cyclization (>20:1) as a new entry to functionalized cycloalkylamines has been conducted with acyclic N,O-acetal TMS ethers possessing an allylsilane moiety.     

Michael addition of chiral formaldehyde N,N-dialkylhydrazones to activated cyclic alkenes

The nucleophilic conjugate addition of chiral formaldehyde N,N-dialkylhydrazones 1 to doubly activated cyclic alkenes 2-8 proceeds smoothly to afford the corresponding Michael adducts 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25 in variable yields and selectivities. The reactions take place either spontaneously or in the presence of MgI₂ as a mild Lewis acid depending on the type of substrate. Release of the chiral auxiliary was achieved by transformation of the hydrazone moiety into acetals, dithioacetals or nitriles.     

Three new Lycopodium alkaloids from Huperzia carinata and Huperzia squarrosa

Eleven Lycopodium alkaloids with lycodine-type, lycopodine-type, and fawcettimine-related skeletons were isolated from the whole plants of Huperzia carinata (Desv. Ex. Poir.) Trevis and Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst) Trevis (Huperziaceae). Among them, 8,15-dihydrohuperzine A (2), lycocarinatine A (3), and lycoposerramine U N-oxide (11) are new compounds. The structures of these new alkaloids were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR correlations. Some of these isolated alkaloids were assayed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity.     

Conformational analysis of bridgehead-substituted bicyclo[m.m.m]alkanes and bicyclo[8.8.n]alkanes

Conformational analyses of bicyclo[m.m.m]alkanes where m=1-10 and of bicyclo[8.8.n]alkanes where n=1-7 bearing methyl groups on the bridgeheads were carried out using a Monte Carlo search strategy. In the bicyclo[m.m.m]alkane series, greater variability was observed for the inter-bridgehead distance for larger values of m. This suggests that properly substituted bicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosanes or larger ring systems might serve as molecular springs.     

Four novel lignans from Rodgersia podophylla

Four novel lignans were isolated from the rhizomes of Rodgersia podophylla. It is interesting to note that an unusual 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl moiety was found in these compounds in addition to an acetylenic functionality in compounds 3 and 4.