Reduction of indolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines

Reduction of indolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines with zinc in the presence of an anhydride gave N,N-diacyl trapped 6,11-dihydroindolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines in 43-92% yields. When the reduction with zinc was performed in TFA/TFAA, an unexpected ring opened product was isolated in 49% yield. The structure of this product could be identified as 1,2-dihydro-1-trifluoroacetyl-3-[(2-trifluoroacetylamino)phenyl]quinoxaline.     

Efficient regioselective protection of myo-inositol via facile protecting group migration

A cis-1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,4,5,6-tetra-O-benzyl-myo-inositol, was selectively protected at the axial C2-hydroxyl via acid-mediated rearrangement of the corresponding 1,2-orthoacetate, or via the base-induced migration of a protecting group that had previously been easily installed with complete regioselectivity at the adjacent equatorial hydroxyl. Esters 4a-6a were synthesized in high yields (75-82%) while sulfonate 7a and silyl ether 8a were obtained in 85 and 31% yields, respectively. The migration of the esters induced by DBU results in equilibrium between regioisomers favouring the C2 protected isomer, but NaH induced migration of sulfonyl and silyl groups results in complete migration from equatorial to axial hydroxyl groups.     

The first total synthesis of trichostatin D

Trichostatin D and 6-epi-trichostatin D have been stereoselectively synthesized through a remote stereoinduction with a chiral vinylketene silyl N,O-acetal and glycosylation of hydroxyimide under Mitsunobu conditions.     

Agariblazeispirols A and B, an unprecedented skeleton from the cultured mycelia of the fungus, Agaricus blazei

Agariblazeispirols A and B, which have a unique steroidal skeleton, have been isolated from the cultured mycelia of Agaricus blazei (Agaricaceae). The absolute structure of Agariblazeispirol A was established to be (20S,22R,23R,24S)-13β,22:22,25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-14β-methyl-18-nor-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9,11-tetraen-23-ol by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral data, and X-ray analysis. The structure of Agariblazeispirol B was elucidated to be a stereoisomer of agariblazeispirol A at its carbon 22, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-13β,22:22,25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-14β-methyl-18-nor-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9,11-tetraen-23-ol by comparison of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral data with those of agariblazeispirol A. Both compounds showed a moderate circumvention of drug resistance on mouse leukemia P388/VCR cells.     

Reactivity of sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid towards salicylaldehyde-derived alkynes and allenes

The reaction of sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid with salicylaldehyde-derived alkynes and allenes opened the way to new chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole and chromeno[2,3-b]pyrrole derivatives. Tetrahydro-chromeno[4,3-b]pyrroles were obtained from the reaction of these secondary amino acids with O-propargylsalicylaldehyde. Interestingly, sarcosine reacted with ethyl 4-(2-formylphenoxy)but-2-ynoate to give a monocyclic pyrrole resulting from rearrangement of the initially formed 1,3-dipolar cycloadduct. Decarboxylative condensation of ethyl 4-(2-formylphenoxy)but-2-ynoate with 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid afforded in a stereoselective fashion the expected chromeno-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole, which structure was unambiguously established by X-ray crystallography. However, the 1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole resulting from the opening of the pyran ring was also isolated. The reaction with O-buta-2,3-dienyl salicylaldehyde afforded 3-methylene-hexahydrochromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole. O-Allenyl salicylaldehyde reacted with sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid to give a new type of chromeno-pyrroles. A mechanism proposal for the synthesis of these chromeno[2,3-b]pyrroles has been presented.     

Cytosporones O, P and Q from an endophytic Cytospora sp.

Cytosporones O, P and Q, together with the known compounds cytosporones B, C, D, E and dothiorelones A, B, C, and H were isolated from the ascomycete fungus Cytospora sp. during a chemotaxonomic study of fungal endophytes belonging to the related genera Cytospora and Phomopsis from Brazil. The structures were determined by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. With exception of cytosporones D, E, Q, and dothiorelone B, all compounds were consistently detected in the metabolite profiles of eight Cytospora isolates investigated; and were also produced by a distinct chemotype of Phomopsis.     

Synthesis of furo[2,3-c]-2,7-naphthyridine derivatives via domino heterocyclization reaction

2-Amino-4-cyanomethyl-6-dialkylamino-3,5-pyridinedicarbonitriles were found to react with substituted oxiranes yielding 5,6-diamino-8-dialkylamino-1,2-dihydrofuro[2,3-c]-2,7-naphthyridine-9-carbonitriles. The oxirane ring was shown to be opened selectively from the unsubstituted side and further cyclization occurred with participation of 3-CN, but not 5-CN of the starting pyridines. The furonaphthyridines obtained were converted into 2-dialkylamino-5-methyl-9,10-dihydro-4H-furo[2,3-c]pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]-2,7-naphthyridine-1-carbonitriles and 2-dialkylamino-5,6,9,10-tetrahydro-4H-spiro{furo[2,3-c]pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]-2,7-naphthyridine-5,1′-cyclohexane}-1-carbonitriles by treatment with acetic anhydride and cyclohexanone, respectively. The structure of prepared compounds was confirmed unambiguously by X-ray crystallographic study.     

Neogermine 7,9,14-orthoesters: synthesis and use in the preparation of hypotensive germine 3,7,15-triesters

Reaction of germine with CH₃C(OEt)₃/$\text{p}$-TsOH in DMSO at room temperature gave neogermine 7,9,14-orthoacetate (5). Treatment of germine 3,16-diacetate with CH₃C(OEt)₃ or triethyl orthoisobutyrate under the same conditions gave the corresponding 7,9,14-orthoacetate ($\text{6}$) and 7,9,14-orthoisobutyrate $\text{9}$ respectively. Acid hydrolysis of these compounds led to conversion of the orthoester group to a 15-ester. If the 15-OH group was first esterified, then acid hydrolysis converted the orthoester to a 7-ester. The utility of this route for the synthesis of hypotensive germine 3,7,15-triesters is demonstrated by the preparation of known $\text{14}$ and novel (16,$\text{17}$) derivatives.     

Development and evaluation of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method in conjunction with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for specific detection of Salmonella serogroup D

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification in conjunction with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (LAMP-ELISA) provides a sensitive, specific and cost-effective method for detection of etiological causes of infections. The present study developed a reliable LAMP-ELISA diagnostic kit for identification of Salmonella serogroup D strains and evaluated its potential use in the detection of Salmonella serovars Enteritidis and Typhi. The LAMP-ELISA assay used a serogroup D/A-specific primer set to amplify a region of the prt gene, followed by hybridization of the digoxigenin-labeled products to a highly specific oligonucleotide probe for exact identification of serogroup D serovars. Among the bacteria tested, a positive reaction was only observed for strains belong to Salmonella serogroup D. The detection limit of the LAMP-ELISA assay was 4 CFU per tube, which was lower than PCR-ELISA assay with the same target gene (50 CFU per tube). Finally, the technique was successfully applied to an artificially contaminated meat sample with a detection limit 10³ CFU mL⁻¹, which was 10 times more sensitive than PCR-ELISA. Overall, the LAMP-ELISA assay could be used as a sensitive alternative method to PCR-ELISA for the specific detection of Salmonella serogroup D serovars in routine food microbiology or clinical laboratories worldwide.     

Two novel tricyclic diterpenoids from Isodon rubescens var. taihangensis

Two novel tricyclic diterpenoids rubescensins U (1) and V (2) were isolated from the leaves of Isodon rubescens var. taihangensis. They were elucidated as a 8,15-seco-ent-kauranoid and an ent-abietanoid, respectively, by 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and single crystal X-ray analysis. Compound 1 is the first example of an 8,15-seco-ent-kaurane from the plants genus Isodon. A discussion of their biogenesis is described.     

Cytotoxic cembranoids from the Red Sea soft coral, Sarcophyton auritum

Chemical investigation of the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton auritum led to the isolation and structure elucidation of two new diterpene cembranoids; 2-epi-sarcophine (2) and (1R,2E,4S,6E,8R,11R,12R)-2,6-cembradiene-4,8,11,12-tetrol (4), as well as two known diterpene cembranoids, reported for the first time from this species, namely sarcophine (1) and (+)-7α,8β-dihydroxydeepoxysarcophine (3). Structure elucidation was achieved using spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS. The isolated cembranoids were found to display high cytotoxicity against HepG2 (liver cancer cell line) and MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line).     

Bis-β-sulfanylethylester and cyclic disulfide-S-oxides as precursors of bifunctionalized anionic derivatives with two oxidized sulfurs

The cyclic disulfide and the bis-β-sulfanyl ethyl ester derived from dithiol, N,N′-1,2-phenylenebis(3-methyl-3-sulfanylbutanamide) were used as precursors to prepare upon oxidation the cyclic disulfide-S-oxides and the thioether sulfur oxidized species including thioether/sulfoxide, bis-sulfoxide, sulfoxide/sulfone, and bis-sulfone. Ring cleavage with KOH/EtOH of the cyclic disulfide-S-monooxide followed by reaction of the opened intermediate with ethyl acrylate afforded the sulfinate/β-sulfanyl ethyl ester derivative. Selective oxidation with 1 and 2 equiv of (3S)-3-tert-butyl-3-methyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)oxaziridine or with 3 equiv of DMD led to the isolation of a series of compounds containing a sulfonate and a β-sulfanyl, a β-sulfinyl, and a β-sulfonyl ethyl ester. Retro-Michaël reaction applied to the β-sulfonyl/β-sulfinyl and bis-β-sulfonyl derivatives enabled to produce compounds containing a sulfinate and a β-sulfinyl or a β-sulfonyl ethyl ester as well as the bis-sulfinate dianion. DMD oxidation of the latter afforded the bis-sulfonate dianion. All these anionic species were characterized by ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry, HRMS or elemental analysis. Sulfenates in such pseudopeptidic structures could not be isolated from the ring cleavage of the cyclic disulfide-S-dioxide or from a retro-Michaël reaction applied to the β-sulfinyl ethyl ester. A cyclization reaction leading to an isothiazolidin-3-one is likely to occur as observed from the ring cleavage of the cyclic disulfide-S-dioxide. Finally, Ni(II) and Co(III) have been inserted into the disulfinate dianion leading to the corresponding diamidato/disulfinato complexes S-bonded to Ni(II) or Co(III) centers.     

Novel pyridino-α-pyrone sesquiterpene type pileotin produced by a sea urchin-derived Aspergillus sp.

A new metabolite, pileotin A, was isolated from a strain of Aspergillus fumigatus originally obtained from the sea urchin Toxopneustes pileolus together with the known compound oxalicine B. The relative stereostructure of pileotin A was elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. This unique pyridino-α-pyrone sesquiterpene type metabolite has spiro-δ-lactone at C-4.     

Tandyukisin,a novel ketoaldehyde decalin derivative,produced by a marine sponge-derived Trichoderma harzianum

Tandyukisin (1), a novel decalin derivative with an enolic β-ketoaldehyde, has been isolated from a strain of Trichoderma harzianum OUPS-111D-4 originally derived from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai, and its structure has been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR techniques. In addition, the absolute configuration for 1 was established by the application of CD spectrum to the tribenzoate derivative. This compounds exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines.     

Toxicity evaluation of single and mixed antifouling biocides measured with acute toxicity bioassays

Antifouling biocides used in boat paints were analyzed with a battery of toxicity bioassays to evaluate the toxic effects of these compounds on Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna and Selenastrum capricornotum. The antifoulants tested were Irgarol 1051, Kathon 5287, chlorothalonil, diuron, dichlofluanid, 2-thiocyanomethylthiobenzothiazole (TCMTB) and tributyltin (TBT). In most cases, the sensitivity of the organisms towards the toxicants followed the order: S. capricornotum > D. magna > V. fischeri. Toxicity by concentration level had the following order: TBT=Kathon 5287>chlorothalonil>Irgarol 1051>diuron>dichlofluanid>TCMTB for S. capricornotum. For D. magna (48 h test), the toxicity order of compounds was TBT>Kathon 5287>chlorothalonil>TCMTB>dichlofluanid>Irgarol 1051>diuron. For V. fischeri (30 min test), the compound toxicity had the following order: Kathon 5287>TBT>TCMTB>dichlofluanid>Irgarol 1051>chlorothalonil.Degradation products of Irgarol 1051 and diuron were also tested. Degradation product of Irgarol 1051 was found to be less toxic to the crustacean and the microalga but more toxic to the bacterium. Degradation products of diuron were less toxic to the microalga in comparison with the bacterium. For mixtures of compound, toxicities were additive in only 33% of the cases and 21% of mixtures were less toxic than expected based on the sum of concentrations of toxicants (antagonistic effect). Synergistic enhancements of toxicity were observed for a majority (46%) of the mixtures.The average reproducibility of the EC₅₀ and LOEC measurements was 27, 24 and 28%, respectively, in the V. fischeri, S. capricornotum and D. magna bioassays. For single compound, the reproducibility of EC₅₀ was better than ±20% for a vast majority of the measurements with the V. fischeri system, thus agreeing closely with the reported reproducibility values for this relatively well-known assay.     

Efficient total syntheses of louisianins C and D

An efficient synthetic route for the preparation of louisianins C and D was developed starting with the commercially available 4-cyanopyridine. Louisianins C and D were synthesized in seven steps and with overall yields 22% and 20%, respectively, following a novel cyclization-decarboxylation sequence involving 4-bromo-6,7-dihydrocyclopenta[c]pyridin-5-one as the key intermediate.     

A xanthone and a polyketide derivative from the leaves of Cassia obtusifolia (Leguminosae)

A new xanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylxantone and a new polyketide derivative, (4R^∗,5S^∗,6E,8Z)-ethyl-4-((E)-but-1-enyl)-5-hydroxypentdeca-6,8-dienoate, together with 20 known secondary metabolites, including 2 steroids, 4 xanthones, 10 anthraquinones, 2 triterpenoids, 1 fatty ester, and (E)-eicos-14-enoic acid, were isolated from the leaves of Cassia obtusifolia. To the best of our knowledge, the last compound was isolated from a natural source for the first time. The structures of all the compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Some of the compounds were tested against Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans ATCC 9002, and Candida tropicalis, they did not show any activity.     

Crassiflorone, a new naphthoquinone from Diospyros crassiflora (Hien)

A new naphthoquinone, 11-hydroxy-1,9-dimethyl-6H-naphtho[2′,3′:4,5]furo[3,2-c]chromene-6,7,12-trione, named crassiflorone, was isolated from the stem bark of Diospyros crassiflora together with the known compounds plumbagin, cyclocanaliculatin, gerberinol, lupeol, lupenone and betulinic acid. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, as well as co-TLC with authentic samples. Some of the above compounds exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts.     

Subcellular and molecular localization of rare earth elements and structural characterization of yttrium bound chlorophyll a in naturally grown fern Dicranopteris dichotoma

A rare earth element (REE) hyperaccumulator, Dicranopteris dichotoma, sampled from an REE mining area in South-Jiangxi region, was chosen for analysis of 15 REEs at subcellular and molecular levels by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The sum of the concentrations of 15 REEs (∑REEs) of D. dichotoma leaf was about 0.1% dry mass. Results indicated that the ∑REEs of different subcellular fractions of D. dichotoma leaf were cell walls>organelles>the ‘soluble’ fraction (i.e., cytosol and vacuoles)>cell membranes. ICP-MS results also showed that REEs existed in chlorophylls and lutein, though REE concentrations in carotene and pheophytin were both lower than the procedural blank levels. The ∑REEs of crude lipopolysaccharide and Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) obtained from D. dichotoma leaf were 1200 and 343 mg/kg, respectively. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) study of D. dichotoma chlorophyll a indicated that yttrium was bound to the porphyrin ring of chlorophyll a, and one yttrium atom was surrounded by four nitrogen atoms with the average yttrium-nitrogen bond length being 0.236 nm. These data might be useful for understanding of the physiological role of REEs in hyperaccumulator D. dichotoma.     

氯代脱氧蔗糖合成的研究

4,6-原乙酸蔗糖六乙酸酯在酸催化下水解和醇解, 选择性地保护了蔗糖分子中的某些羟基, 并通过乙酰基由C~4→C~6迁移的异构化反应合成了一系列蔗糖乙酸酯。利用Vilsmeier试剂作为氯化试剂与蔗糖乙酸酯进行氯化反应, 再除去乙酰基, 合成了六个氯代脱氧蔗糖, 其中的三个由于C~4构型的转换, 为氯代脱氧半乳蔗糖。