Tannins from Betel Nuts

From the acetone extract of fresh-betel nuts, two procyanidin pentamers, two procyanidin tetramers and three procyanidin trimers, along with (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin A-l, procyanidin B-l, procyanidin B-2, and procyanidin B-7 were isolated. Based on ₁H NMR and ₁₃C NMR spectral data as well as the results of thiolysis degradation, the chemical structures of two series of oligomeric arecatannins A and B have been established. The arecatannins from betel nuts were found to be condensed-type tannins which possess (-)-epicatechin unit and (+)-catechin units. All arecatannins had C₄-C₈ linked (-)-epicatechin in the upper units whereas the (+)-catechin in the terminal unit had C₄-C₈ or C₄-C₆ linkage.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-ottelione A, (-)-ottelione B, (+)-3-epi-ottelione A and preliminary evaluation of their antitumor activity

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-ottelione A (1) and (-)-ottelione B (2), novel and potent antitumor agents from a freshwater plant, and (+)-3-epi-ottelione A (3), the earlier proposed stereostructure of 1, was efficiently achieved starting from the known tricyclic compound 10. The synthesis involved the following key steps: i) coupling reactions of aldehydes 8 and 9 with the aromatic portion 7 (8+7-->15 and 9+7-->27), ii) base-induced hemiacetal-opening/epimerization reactions of the cyclic hemiacetals 6 and 27 (6-->17 and 27 a-->26 a), and iii) Corey-Winter's reductive olefination of the cyclic thiocarbonates 21 and 36 (21-->22 and 36-->37). The present total synthesis fully established the absolute configuration of these natural products. The cell growth inhibition profile, COMPARE analysis, and tubulin inhibitory assay of (+)-3-epi-ottelione A (3) and its O-acetyl derivative 24 demonstrated that these unnatural substances could be prominent lead compounds for the development of anticancer agents with a novel mode of action.     

Concise syntheses of coronarin A, coronarin E, austrochaparol and pacovatinin A

Total syntheses of (+)-coronarin A (1), (+)-coronarin E (2), (+)-austrochaparol (3) and (+)-pacovatinin A (4) were achieved from the synthetic (+)-albicanyl acetate (6). Dess-Martin oxidation of (+)-albicanol (5) derived from the chemoenzymatic product (6) gave an aldehyde (7), which was subjected to Julia one-pot olefination using beta-furylmethyl-heteroaromatic sulfones (8 or 9 ) gave (+)-trans coronarin E (2) and (+)-cis coronarin E (12) with high cis-selectivity. The synthesis of (+)-coronarin A (1) from (+)-trans coronarin E (2) was achiev-ed, while (+)-cis coronarin E (12) was converted to the natural products (+)-(5S,9S,10S)-15,16-epoxy-8(17),13(16),14-labdatriene (13) and (+)-austrochaparol (3). By the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-3, the absolute structure of (+)-3 was determined to be 5S, 7R, 9R, 10S configurations. Homologation of (+)-albicanol (5) followed by allylic oxidation gave (7 alpha)-hydroxy nitrile (17), which was finally converted to the natural (+)-pacovatinin A (4) in 8 steps from (+)-albicanol (5).     

Novel Trinor-eremophilanes (Dendryphiellin B,C, and D), Eremophilanes (Dendryphiellin E,F, and G), and Branched C9-Carboxylic Acids (Dendryphiellic Acid A and B) from the Marine Deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina (SUTHERLAND) PUGHet NICOT

Further investigation of global extracts from cultures of the marine deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina leads to the isolation of three novel trinor-eremophilanes esterified by branched C₉-carboxylic acids, dendryphiellin B (= (+)-(1R*,2S*,7R*,8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6R*, 2E, 4E)-6-hydroxy-6-methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 2 ), dendryphiellin C (=(+)-(1R*, 2S*, 7R*, 8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexa-hydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6S, 2E, 4E)-6-methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 3 )), and dendryphiellin D (=(+)-(1R*, 2S*, 7R*, 8aR*)-1,2,6,7(8,8a-hexahydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6R*,2E,4E)-6-(hydroxymethyl)octa-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 4 ). An intact eremophilane, dendryphiellin E ( 5 ), and its ethanolysis product dendryphiellin F whose absolute configuration is represented by structural formula (+)- 6 are also isolated from the above extracts. Dendryphiellin E exists as an open form 5a in equilibrium with a closed form 5b . A similar equilibrium exists between the open form 8a and the closed form 8b of a non-esterified eremophilane, dendryphiellin G ( 8 ), which is isolated too from the above extracts and proves structurally related to the cyclic portion of 5 . Finally, the free, branched C₉-carboxylic acids dendryphiellic acid A ((+)- 9 ) and B ((+)- 10 ) which correspond to side chains of the above esterified terpenes are also isolated from the above extracts.     

Syntheses, characterizations, and coordination chemistry of the 10-vertex phosphadicarbaboranes 6-R-arachno-6,8,9-PC2B7H11 and 6-R-arachno-6,5,7-PC2B7H11

The 10-vertex phosphadicarbaboranes, 6-R-arachno-6,8,9-PC(2)B(7)H(11) (1) (R = Ph 1a or Me 1b) and 6-R-arachno-6,5,7-PC(2)B(7)H(11) (2) (R = Ph 2a or Me 2b) have been synthesized using in situ dehydrohalogenation reactions of RPCl(2) (R = Ph or Me) with the arachno-4,5-C(2)B(7)H(13) and arachno-4,6-C(2)B(7)H(13) carboranes, respectively. X-ray crystallographic determinations in conjunction with DFT/GIAO/NMR calculations and NMR spectroscopic studies have established that both 1 and 2 have open cage structures based on an icosahedron missing two vertexes. The two isomeric compounds differ in the positions of the carbons and bridging hydrogens on the open face. Studies of the reactions of 2a with BH(3).THF, S(8), and hydrogen peroxide demonstrated that 2a shows strong donor properties yielding the compounds endo-6-H(3)B-exo-6-Ph-arachno-6,5,7-PC(2)B(7)H(11) (3), endo-6-S-exo-6-Ph-arachno-6,5,7-PC(2)B(7)H(11) (4), and endo-6-O-exo-6-Ph-arachno-6,5,7-PC(2)B(7)H(11) (5) in which the BH(3), S, and O substitutents are bonded to an electron lone pair localized at the phosphorus endo-position. The reaction of 2a with an excess of S(8) results in the loss of a framework boron to produce the unique open-cage compound micro(7,8)-[HS(Ph)P]-hypho-7,8-C(2)B(6)H(11) (6). 2a also formed the donor complexes cis-(eta(1)-[6-Ph-arachno-6,5,7-PC(2)B(7)H(11)])(2)PtBr(2) (7) and trans-(eta(1)-[6-Ph-arachno-6,5,7-PC(2)B(7)H(11)])(2)PdBr(2) (8) in which the metal fragment is bonded in an eta(1)-fashion at the phosphorus endo-position. In these complexes, 2a is functioning as a two-electron sigma donor to the metals and can thus be considered as an analogue of the PR(3) ligands in the classical cis-(PPh(3))(2)PtBr(2) and trans-(PPh(3))(2)PdBr(2) coordination complexes. Although 1a did not show the donor properties exhibited by 2a, its dianion 6-Ph-6,8,9-PC(2)B(7)H(9)(2)(-) (1a(2)()(-)()) readily formed eta(4)-coordinated complexes with late transition metals including 8-Ph-7-(Ph(3)P)(2)-nido-7,8,10,11-PtPC(2)B(7)H(9) (9), 7-Ph-11-(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))-nido-11,7,9,10-CoPC(2)B(7)H(9) (10), and commo-Ni-(7-Ni-8'-Ph-nido-8',10',11'-PC(2)B(7)H(9))(7-Ni-8-Ph-nido-8,10,11-PC(2)B(7)H(9)) (11).     

Lagaspholones A and B: two new jatropholane-type diterpenes from Euphorbia lagascae

[structure: see text] Two new diterpenes, lagaspholones A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Euphorbia lagascae, along with the known compounds (+)-dehydrovomifoliol, scopoletin, dehydrodiconiferyl diacetate, 3-indolcarbaldehyde, and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 contain the rare jatropholane-type skeleton, characterized by a 5:6:7:3 fused ring system. A possible biosynthetic pathway for lagaspholones is proposed.     

Rossicasins A, B and rosicaside F, three new phenylpropanoid glycosides from Boschniakia rossica

Three phenylpropanoid glycosides have been isolated, together with the known phenylpropanoid glycosides rossicaside A (4), B (5), E (6), and trans-p-coumaryl alcohol 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), and an acylated oligosaccharide beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-(4-O-trans-caffeoyl)-D-glucopyranose) (8), from the aqueous extract of Boschniakia rossica (CHAM. et SCHLECH.) FEDTSCH. et FLEROV. Spectroscopic evidence led to the assignments of their structures as trans-p-coumaryl-(6'-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), trans-p-coumaryl-(6'-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) and 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-R,S-2-ethoxy-ethyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)(4-O-trans-caffeoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), designated as rossicasin A, rossicasin B, and rossicaside F, respectively. Compound 7 was identified from the degradation reaction and this is the first isolation from a natural source.     

Medicinal foodstuffs. XXXIV. Structures of new prenylchalcones and prenylflavanones with TNF-alpha and aminopeptidase N inhibitory activities from Boesenbergia rotunda

The methanolic extract from the rhizomes of Boesenbergia rotunda (Zingiberaceae) was found to show inhibitory effect on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells (IC(50)=6.1 microg/ml). By bioassay-guided separation, four new prenylcalcones, (+)-krachaizin A (1a), (-)-krachaizin A (1b), (+)-krachaizin B (2a), and (-)-krachaizin B (2b), and four new prenylflavanones, rotundaflavones Ia (3a), Ib (3b), IIa (4a), and IIb (4b), were isolated together with 18 known constituents (5a-7b and 8-19). The structures of eight new compounds were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical evidence. Among them, (+)-krachaizin B (2a), (-)-krachaizin B (2b), (+)-4-hydroxypanduratin A (6a), (-)-4-hydroxypanduratin A (6b), (+)-isopanduratin A (7a), (-)-isopanduratin A (7b), alpinetin (10), cardamonin (14), and 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone (15) significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells at 10 microM. In addition, 2a, 2b, (+)-panduratins A (5a), (-)-panduratin A (5b), 6a, 7b, and geranyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-phenylbenzoate (17) were found to show strong inhibitory effects on aminopeptidase N activity.     

New chemistry of 1,2-closo-P2B10H10 and 1,2-closo-As2B10H10; in silico and gas electron diffraction structures, and new metalladiphospha- and metalladiarsaboranes

The molecular structures of 1,2-closo-P(2)B(10)H(10) (1) and 1,2-closo-As(2)B(10)H(10) (2) have been determined by gas electron diffraction and the results obtained compared with those from computation at the MP2/6-31G** level of theory. The level of agreement is good for 2 (root-mean-square [rms] misfit for As and B atoms 0.0297 ?) and very good for 1 (rms misfit for P and B atoms 0.0082 ?). In comparing the structures of 1 and 2 with that of 1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(12) (I) it is evident that expansion of the polyhedron from I to 1 to 2 is restricted only to the heteroatom vertices and the B(6) face to which these are bound. Following deboronation (at B3) and subsequent metallation, compounds 1 and 2 have been converted into the new metalladiheteroboranes 3-(η-C(9)H(7))-3,1,2-closo-CoAs(2)B(9)H(9) (4), 3-(η-C(10)H(14))-3,1,2-closo-RuAs(2)B(9)H(9) (5), 3-(η-C(5)H(5))-3,1,2-closo-CoP(2)B(9)H(9) (6), 3-(η-C(9)H(7))-3,1,2-closo-CoP(2)B(9)H(9) (7) and 3-(η-C(10)H(14))-3,1,2-closo-RuP(2)B(9)H(9) (8), the last three constituting the first examples of metalladiphosphaboranes. Together with the known compound 3-(η-C(5)H(5))-3,1,2-closo-CoAs(2)B(9)H(9) (3), compounds 4-8 have been analysed by NMR spectroscopy and (except for 8) single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The (11)B NMR spectra of analogous pairs of metalladiphosphaborane and metalladiarsaborane (6 and 3, 7 and 4, 8 and 5) reveal a consistently narrower (9-10 ppm) chemical shift range for the metalladiarsaboranes, the combined result of a deshielding of the lowest frequency resonance (B6) and an increased shielding of the highest frequency resonance (B8) via an antipodal effect. In crystallographic studies, compounds 3 and 5B (one of two crystallographically-independent molecules) suffer As/B disorder, but in both cases it was possible to refine distinct, ordered, components of the disorder, the first time this has been reported for metalladiarsaboranes. Moreover, whilst the Cp compounds 6 and 3 are disordered, their indenyl analogues 7 and 4 are either ordered or significantly less disordered, a consequence of both the reduced symmetry of an indenyl ligand compared to a Cp ligand and the preference of the former for a distinct conformation relative to the cage heteroatoms. Unexpectedly, whilst this conformation in the cobaltadiphosphaborane 7 is cis-staggered (similar to that previously established for the analogous cobaltadicarborane), in the cobaltadiarsaborane 4 the conformation is close to cis-eclipsed.     

(C4N3H15)[(BO2)2(GeO2)4]: the first organically templated 3D borogermanate showing 1D 12-rings, large channels, and a novel zeolite-type framework topology constructed from Ge8O24 and B2O7 cluster units

The first organically templated 3D borogermanate with a novel zeolite-type topology, (C4N3H15)[(BO2)2(GeO2)4] FJ-17, has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), TGA, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 6.967(1) A, b = 10.500(1) A, c = 20.501(1) A, beta = 90.500(3) degrees , V = 1499.68(8) A3, and Z = 4. The framework topology of this compound is the previously unknown topology with the vertex symbols 3.4.3.9.3.8(2) (vertex 1), 3.8.3.4.6(2).9(2) (vertex 2), 3.8(2).4.6(2).6(2).8 (vertex 3), 4.8.4.8.8(3).12 (vertex 4), 4.8.4.8.8(2).12 (vertex 5), and 3.8.4.6(2).6.8(2) (vertex 6). The structure is constructed from Ge8O24 and B2O7 clusters. The Ge8O24 cluster contains eight GeO4 tetrahedra that share vertices; the B2O7 unit is composed of two BO4 tetrahedra sharing a vertex. The cyclic Ge8O24 clusters connect to each other through vertices to form a 2D layer with 8,12-nets. The adjacent layers are further linked by the dimeric B2O7 cluster units, resulting in a 3D framework with 12- and 8-ring channels along the a and b axes, respectively. In addition, there is a unique B2GeO9 3-ring in the structure.     

Kuwanon T and Sanggenon A Isolated from Morus alba Exert Anti-Inflammatory Effects by Regulating NF-κB and HO-1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathways in BV2 and RAW264.7 Cells

We previously investigated the methanolic extract of Morus alba bark and characterized 11 compounds from the extract: kuwanon G (1), kuwanon E (2), kuwanon T (3), sanggenon A (4), sanggenon M (5), sanggenol A (6), mulberofuran B (7), mulberofuran G (8), moracin M (9), moracin O (10), and norartocarpanone (11). Herein, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds on microglial cells (BV2) and macrophages (RAW264.7). Among them, 3 and 4 markedly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide in these cells, suggesting the anti-inflammatory properties of these two compounds. These compounds inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 following LPS stimulation. Pretreatment with 3 and 4 inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway in both cell types. The compounds also induced the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 through the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. Suppressing the activity of HO-1 reversed the anti-inflammatory effects caused by pretreatment with 3 and 4, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory effects were regulated by HO-1. Taken together, 3 and 4 are potential candidates for developing therapeutic and preventive agents for inflammatory diseases.     

Procyanidins from Myrothamnus flabellifolia

From the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of an acetone-water extract of the twig tips of Myrothamnus flabellifolia Welw. (Myrothamnaceae), a variety of flavan-3-ols (epicatechin, epigallocatechin and their 3-O-galloylated analogues) and procyanidins (DP 8)-catechin], B4 [catechin-(4alpha --> 8)-epicatechin], B6 [catechin-(4alpha --> 6)-catechin] and catechin-(4alpha --> 8)-epigallocatechin along with the galloylated analogues B4-3'-O-gallate, procyanidin B2-3'-O-gallate [epicatechin-(4beta --> 8)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate], B2-3,3'-di-O-gallate, procyanidin B5-3,3'-O-gallate [epicatechin-3-O-gallate-(4beta --> 6)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate], catechin-(4alpha --> 8)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, the trimer procyanidin C1-3'-O-gallate[epicatechin-(4beta --> 8)-epicatechin-(4beta --> 8)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate] and the new epicatechin-3-O-gallate-(4beta --> 6)-epicatechin-3-O-p-hydroxybenzoate. The structures were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments of their peracetylated derivatives, partial acid-catalysed degradation with phloroglucinol, ESI-MS and CD spectra.     

Total synthesis of the marine sponge metabolites (+)-rottnestol, (+)-raspailol A and (+)-raspailol B

The asymmetric syntheses of (+)-rottnestol (1) and the related marine sponge metabolites (+)-raspailols A (5) and B (6) are described. The key step in each of these sequences was a Stille coupling to form the C9-C10 sp2-sp2 bond and connect the polyene sidechains to the appropriate optically active tetrahydropyran core. For rottnestol (1), both C12 epimers were synthesised by a coupling between stannane 7 and (R)- or (S)-8 followed by acid hydrolysis which allowed for the assignment of the absolute configuration at the remote C12 stereocentre as R upon comparison of chiroptical data of the synthetic material with that reported for the natural product. In accord with this, (12R)-raspailol A (5) was synthesised from stannane 7 and sidechain 9 and this compound also compared well with the data for natural material including sign and absolute value of the specific rotation. Finally, the same C12 epimer of raspailol B (6) was secured via a union between stannane 10 and iodide 9 and this also possessed a similar rotation to that described for the natural product. Thus, all three compounds appear to possess the (12R) configuration, while that of the core tetrahydropyran ring is the same as proposed originally.     

Procyanidin oligomers. A new method for 4→8 interflavan bond formation using C8-boronic acids and iterative oligomer synthesis through a boron-protection strategy

Interest in the synthesis of procyanidin (catechin or epicatechin) oligomers that contain the 4→8 interflavan linkage remains high, principally due to research into their health effects. A novel coupling utilising a C8-boronic acid as a directing group was developed in the synthesis of natural procyanidin B3 (i.e., 3,4-trans-(+)-catechin-4α→8-(+)-catechin dimer). The key interflavan bond was forged using a novel Lewis acid-promoted coupling of C4-ether 6 with C8-boronic acid 16 to provide the α-linked dimer with high diastereoselectivity. Through the use of a boron protecting group, the new coupling procedure was extended to the synthesis of a protected procyanidin trimer analogous to natural procyanidin C2.     

A simple oxidation of formycin to oxoformycin and oxoformycin B. Synthesis of 6-methyloxoformycin,A C-nucleoside analog of doridosine

A simple, high-yield procedure has now been developed for the direct oxidation of formycin to oxoformycin and oxoformycin B. Treatment of formycin (1) with bromine/water provided oxoformycin (8) . A similar treatment of formycin B (4) gave oxoformycin B (6) . Upon prolonged exposure of either 1 or 8 to bromine/water at reflux temperature, conversion to 6 occurred in good yield. Application of this procedure to 1-methylformycin (2) , 1-methylformycin B (5) and 2-methylformycin (17) gave 1-methyloxoformycin (9) , 1-methyloxoformycin B (7) and 2-methyloxoformycin (18) , respectively. Deamination of 8 and 9 with nitrosyl chloride also gave 6 and 7 , respectively. This selective oxidation of 6-methylformycin gave 7-amino-6-methyl-3-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-5(4H)-one (10) , a C-nucleoside analog of doridosine. A similar oxidation of 1,6-dimethylformycin B (11) gave 1,6-dimethyloxoformycin B (12) . This direct introduction of the 5-oxo function into the pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine ring appears to be due to the attack of Br⁺ at N(4), followed by the addition of water to C(5) and subsequent elimination of hydrogen bromide from the transient intermediate 3 .     

New triterpene constituents, foliasalacins A(1)-A(4), B(1)-B(3), and C, from the leaves of Salacia chinensis

Four dammarane-type, three lupane-type, and an oleanane-type triterpenes named foliasalacins A(1) (1), A(2) (2), A(3) (3), A(4) (4), B(1) (5), B(2) (6), B(3) (7), and C (8) were isolated from the leaves of Salacia chinensis LINN. collected in Thailand. The structures of new triterpene constituents (1-8) were characterized on the basis of chemical and physiochemical evidence.     

Syntheses and structural and electrochemical characterizations of vanadatricarbadecaboranyl analogues of vanadocene and the structural characterization of the [Li(CH(3)CN)2+](6-CH(3)-nido-5,6,9-C(3)B(7)H(9-) tricarbadecaboranyl anion.

A single-crystal X-ray determination of the [Li(CH(3)CN)(2)(+)](6-CH(3)-nido-5,6,9-C(3)B(7)H(9)(-)) salt has shown that the 6-CH(3)-nido-5,6,9-C(3)B(7)H(9)(-) tricarbadecaboranyl anion has a nido-cage geometry based on an octadecahedron missing the unique six-coordinate vertex. The resulting six-membered open face is puckered, with two of the cage carbons (C6 and C9) occupying the low-coordinate cage positions above the plane of the four remaining atoms (C5, B7, B8, and B10). The Li(+) ion is centered over the open face and is solvated by two acetonitrile molecules. The reactions of the 6-CH(3)-nido-5,6,9-C(3)B(7)H(9)(-) anion with various vanadium halide salts, including VCl(4), VCl(3), and VBr(2), each resulted in the isolation of the same five paramagnetic products (2-6) of composition V(CH(3)-C(3)B(7)H(9))(2). X-ray crystallographic determinations of 2-5 showed that the complexes consist of two octadecahedral VC(3)B(7) fragments sharing a common vanadium vertex and established their structures as commo-V-(1-V-4'-CH(3)-2',3',4'-C(3)B(7)H(9))(1-V-2-CH(3)-2,3,4-C(3)B(7)H(9)) (2), commo-V-(1-V-5'-CH(3)-2',3',5'-C(3)B(7)H(9))(1-V-4-CH(3)-2,3,4-C(3)B(7)H(9)) (3), commo-V-(1-V-5'-CH(3)-2',3',5'-C(3)B(7)H(9))(1-V-2-CH(3)-2,3,4-C(3)B(7)H(9)) (4), and commo-V-(1-V-2-CH(3)-2,3,4-C(3)B(7)H(9))(2) (5). These complexes can be considered as tricarbadecaboranyl analogues of vanadocene, (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2)V. However, unlike vanadocene, these complexes are air- and moisture-stable and have only one unpaired electron. The five complexes differ with respect to one another in that they either (1) contain different enantiomeric forms of the CH(3)-C(3)B(7)H(9) cages, (2) have a different twist orientation of the two cages, or (3) have the methyl group of the CH(3)-C(3)B(7)H(9) cage located in either the 2 or 4 position of the cage. Subsequent attempts to oxidize the compounds with reagents such as Br(2) and Ag(+) were unsuccessful, illustrating the ability of the tricarbadecaboranyl anion to stabilize metals in low oxidation states. Consistent with this, both the electrochemical oxidation and the reduction of 2 were much more positive than those of the same oxidation state changes in vanadocene. The one-electron reduction of 2 is a remarkable 2.9 V positive of that of Cp(2)V.     

The 1 (2)A(1), 1 (2)B(2), and 1 (2)A(2) states of the SO(2) (+) ion studied using multiconfiguration second-order perturbation theory

The 1 (2)A(1), 1 (2)B(2), and 1 (2)A(2) electronic states of the SO(2) (+) ion have been studied using multiconfiguration second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) and two contracted atomic natural orbital basis sets, S[6s4p3d1f]/O[5s3p2d1f] (ANO-L) and S[4s3p2d]/O[3s2p1d] (ANO-S), and the three states were considered to correspond to the observed X, B, and A states, respectively, in the previous experimental and theoretical studies. Based on the CASPT2/ANO-L adiabatic excitation energy calculations, the X, A, and B states of SO(2) (+) are assigned to 1 (2)A(1), 1 (2)B(2), and 1 (2)A(2), respectively, and our assignments of the A and B states are contrary to the previous assignments (A to (2)A(2) and B to (2)B(2)). The CASPT2/ANO-L energetic calculations also indicate that the 1 (2)A(1), 1 (2)B(2), and 1 (2)A(2) states are, respectively, the ground, first excited, and second excited states at the ground-state (1 (2)A(1)) geometry of the ion and at the geometry of the ground-state SO(2) molecule. Based on the CASPT2/ANO-L results for the geometries, we realize that the experimental geometries (determined by assuming the bond lengths to be the same as the neutral ground state of SO(2)) were not accurate. The CASPT2/ANO-S calculations for the potential energy curves as functions of the OSO angle confirm that the 1 (2)B(2) and 1 (2)A(2) states are the results of the Renner-Teller effect in the degenerate (2)Pi(g) state at the linear geometry, and it is clearly shown that the 1 (2)B(2) curve, as the lower component of the Renner splitting, lies below the 1 (2)A(2) curve. The UB3LYP/cc-pVTZ adiabatic excitation energy calculations support the assignments (A to (2)B(2) and B to (2)A(2)) based on the CASPT2/ANO-L calculations.     

The anti-HBsAg (human type B hepatitis, surface antigen) and anti-HBeAg (human type B hepatitis, e antigen) C18 dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Kadsura matsudai and Schizandra arisanensis

The C(18) dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans including three novel schizanrin F (1), G (2), H (3), along with the known kadsurarin (4), were isolated from Kadsura matsudai. A new C(19) homolignan named schiarisanrin E (5), together with the known C(18) lignans, gomisin B (6), G (7) and (+)-gomisin K(3) (8) were obtained from Schizandra arisanensis. Gomisin B, G and (+)-gomisin K(3) showed moderate to strong activity for antihepatitis in anti-HBsAg (human type B hepatitis, surface antigen) and/or anti-HBeAg (human type B hepatitis, e antigen) tests. The structural elucidations of new compounds 1-3 and 5 were based on two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques including COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY and CD spectra. Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies for these isolated lignans are also discussed.