3,4-seco-Diterpenoids from Trigonostemon flavidus

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of Trigonostemon flavidus resulted in the isolation of five new 3,4-seco-diterpenoids, trigoflavidones A-E (1-5), structurally related to the main co-occurring known 3,4-seco-sonderianic acid (6) and 3,4-seco-sonderianol (7). Compound 4 possesses new 3,4-seco rearranged ent-pimarane skeletal type, characteristic of a vinyl group at C-8, while 5 features a unique five-membered ring (C₁) fused with a cyclopropane ring (C₂). The structures of the new compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic data and computational methods. Compounds 1-7 were tested for their cytotoxicities on HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 human tumor cell lines.     

Sesquiterpenoids, alantolactone analogues, and seco-guaiene from the roots of Inula helenium

Three new sesquiterpenoids, a new unusual dimeric eudesmanolide, bialantolactone, a new nor-eudesmanolide, trinoralantolactone, and a new seco-guaiene, 7S,1(10)Z-4,5-seco-guaia-1(10),11-diene-4,5-dioxo, together with 13 known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the roots of Inula helenium. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of bialantolactone and 7S,1(10)Z-4,5-seco-guaia-1(10),11-diene-4,5-dioxo were defined via the experimental and computational optical rotation and CD data. The plausible biosynthetic pathways to bialantolactone and 7S,1(10)Z-4,5-seco-guaia-1(10),11-diene-4,5-dioxo are discussed. 16 compounds were evaluated for their anti-bacterial activities against six bacteria.     

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.     

An unusual 9,11-seco limonoid from Toona ciliata

An unusual 9,11-seco limonoid, toonasecone A (1), had been isolated from the bark of Toona ciliata. The structure was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis. This is the first time the 9,11-seco limonoid has been isolated from the Meliaceae family.     

Eight new limonoids from Turraea pubescens

Eight new ring B-seco limonoids, turrapubesic acids A-C (1-3) and turrapubesins C-G (4-8), along with turraflorin E and isoazadironolide were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Turraea pubescens. Turrapubesic acids A-C (1-3) are a group of ring B-seco limonoid 17-carboxylic acids with a new C₂₃ skeleton, and turrapubesin C (4) incorporates an unprecedented 1,30-oxygen bridge. The structures including absolute stereochemistry of 1-8 were established on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and CD study. The cytotoxicity of the isolates against the P-388 and A-549 cells was evaluated.     

Novel 24-nor-, 24-nor-2,3-seco-, and 3,24-dinor-2,4-seco-ursane triterpenes from Diospyros decandra: evidences for ring A biosynthetic transformations

Novel 24-nor-, 24-nor-2,3-seco, and 3,24-dinor-2,4-seco-ursane type triterpenes have been isolated along with one known compound from the stem bark of Diospyros decandra. The structures of these highly oxidized metabolites were established on the basis of extensive NMR and MS studies. They possibly represent intermediates in the biosynthetic transformation of ring A in an ursane triterpene. Some isolates showed mild anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC values ranging from 25 to 200 μg/mL.     

A novel 3,8-seco-taxane metabolite from the seeds of the Chinese yew, Taxus mairei

The structure of a novel 3,8-seco-bicyclic taxanoid metabolite, isolated from the methanol extract of seeds of the Chinese yew, Taxus mairei, was established as (11αH)-3,8-seco-taxa-3E,7E,12(18)-triene-2α,6α,9β-triol (1) on the basis of spectral analysis including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY and HR-FABMS.     

Oxidative cyclization of a seco-cladiellane diterpenoid

A short and efficient synthesis of a diterpenoid with a 1,2-seco-cladiellane carbon skeleton is described, starting from geraniol and carvone. One-step oxidative cyclization with a RuO₂/NaIO₄ system leads to two diastereomeric, bicyclic triols, which contain six stereogenic centers and will be helpful in the synthesis of eleutherobin. The stereochemical outcome of this cyclization has been determined by X-ray analysis.     

A new rearranged and a new seco-ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon parvifolius

Parvifoline X (1), a new rearranged ent-kaurane diterpenoid, and parvifoline Y (2), a new 8,15-seco-ent-kaurane diterpenoid, were isolated from the leaves of Isodon parvifolius. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR analysis, and supported by a biogenetic pathway. Parvifoline X (1), possessing a new 15(8→11)-abeo-7α,20-epoxy-ent-kaurane skeleton, was found from the genus Isodon for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against A549, HT-29, and K562 cell lines. Parvifoline Y (2) was the most cytotoxic against A549 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 4.97 μM.     

Three novel 3,4-seco-podocarpane trinorditerpenoids from Aleurites moluccana

Three novel 3,4-seco-podocarpane-type trinorditerpenoids, moluccanic acid (1), moluccanic acid methyl ester (2), and 6,7-dehydromoluccanic acid (3), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Aleurites moluccana. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR analysis. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-3 was evaluated.     

An efficient synthesis of furano analogs of duocarmycin C1 and C2: seco-iso-cyclopropylfurano[e]indoline-trimethoxyindole and seco-cyclopropylfurano[f]quinoline-trimethoxyindole

seco-Iso-cyclopropylfurano[e]indoline-trimethoxyindole 1 and seco-cyclopropylfurano[f]quinoline-trimethoxyindole 2 are potent cytotoxic agents. Previous synthesis of these compounds was inefficient and the approach required separation of a mixture containing the isomeric indoline and quinoline intermediates 11 and 12, formed from radical cyclization of allylic bromide 10. Reported herein is an efficient and selective synthesis of either intermediate 11 or 12, thus product 1 or 2, as needed. The conditions of the Stobbe condensation, bromination, 5-exo-trig radical cyclization, amine-carboxylic acid coupling, and debenzylation were optimized for multi gram scale. As a result, the reaction times were shortened, the products were readily isolated, and the yields and purity improved.     

Computer-assisted design and lactonization of model seco-acid derivatives of lankanolide

In some cases, seco-acid derivatives (a precursor of macrolactone) did not cyclize to form the corresponding macrolactone. To design easily cyclizable seco-acid derivatives of lanaknolide, the conformation of several model seco-acids was calculated, and lactonization experiments of the seco-acids prepared from oleandomycin were carried out to elucidate the efficiency of the cyclization of the model seco-acid. The easily cyclable seco-acid was designed to be C8 exomethylene derivative of lankanolide seco-acid. On the other hand, seco-acid derivative having tertiary alcohol at C8 was predicted not to cyclize to form macrolactone.     

Synthesis and characterization of new soluble fluorinated seco-porphyrazines

Magnesium porphyrazinate substituted with eight 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl groups on the peripheral positions has been synthesized by the cyclotetramerization of 3,4-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyrroline-2,5-diimine in the presence of magnesium butanolate. Acid-mediated demetallation of the magnesium porphyrazine resulted in peripheral oxidation of one pyrrole ring to reveal the seco-porphyrazine, octakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-seco-porphyrazine-2,3-dione. Further reaction of this product with copper (II) acetate, zinc (II) acetate and cobalt (II) acetate has led to the metallo-derivatives, {octakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-seco-2,3-dioxoporphyrazinato} M(II) [M = Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II)]. These new soluble complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, together with FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, UV-Vis and mass spectral data.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of novel seco-porphyrazines with eight 4-biphenyl groups

Magnesium porphyrazinate substituted with eight 4-biphenyl groups on the periphery positions has been synthesized for the first time from cyclotetramerization of 1,2-bis(4-biphenyl)maleonitrile in the presence of magnesium butanolate. Its demetalation by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid, resulted in a partially oxidized product, namely, octakis(4-biphenyl)-2-seco-porphyrazine-2,3-dione. Further reaction of this product with copper(II) acetate, zinc(II) acetate and cobalt(II) acetate has led to the metallo derivatives, [octakis(4-biphenyl)-2-seco-2,3-dioxoporphyrazinato] M(II) (M = Cu, Zn, Co). These novel compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, together with FT-IR, ¹H NMR, UV–Vis and mass spectral data.     

Synthesis of 2α- and 2β-substituted-14-epi-previtamin D3 and their genomic activity

2α- and 2β-Substituted analogs of 14-epi-previtamin D₃ were synthesized and isolated after thermal isomerization of 14-epi-vitamin D₃ triene at 80 °C. The VDR binding affinity and transactivation activity of osteocalcin promoter in HOS cells were tested, and the 2α-methyl-substituted analog was found to have greater genomic activity than 14-epi-previtamin D₃. We found that modification at the C2 position of the seco-steroidal skeleton afforded interesting effects for biological genomic activity for the previtamin D form as well as the natural vitamin D form.     

Rumphellaone A, a novel caryophyllane-related derivative from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies

A novel 4,5-seco-caryophyllane sesquiterpenoid derivative, rumphellaone A (1), which was found to possess an unprecedented γ-lactone moiety, was isolated from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic method. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of compound 1 was proposed.     

Isolation and characterization of miscellaneous terpenoids of Schisandra chinensis

Two new bisnortriterpenoids with 18-norschiartane skeleton, wuweizidilactones G (1) and H (2), four new highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids based on a schisanartane skeleton, schindilactones D-G (3-6), a pre-schisanartane skeleton, pre-schisanartanin B (7), and a novel 3,4-seco-21,26-olide-artane triterpenoid wuweizilactone acid (8), along with 24 known terpenoids with different carbon frameworks, have been isolated from the acetone extract of the stems and leaves of Schisandra chinensis. The terpenoids produced by this plant have chemical diversity. The structures of new compounds 1-8 have been characterized by spectroscopic data interpretation. The cytotoxicity and anti-HIV-1 activity of all the Schisandra nortriterpenoids were evaluated.     

Further studies on the constituents of the gorgonian octocoral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae collected in San Andrés and Providencia islands, Colombian Caribbean: isolation of a putative biosynthetic intermediate leading to erogorgiaene

Chemical investigations of the MeOH-CH₂Cl₂ extract of Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae specimens collected in the islands of San Andrés and Providencia, Colombian Caribbean, yielded four new diterpenes (1, 3, 5, 7) along with seco-pseudopterosin J (8), and amphilectosins A (9) and B (10). The structures of the new compounds were established through spectral studies as an elisabethatriene analog named elisabethatrienol (1), 10-acetoxy-9-hydroxy- and 9-acetoxy-10-hydroxy-amphilecta-8,10,12,14-tetraenes (isolated as an interconverting mixture) (3), amphilecta-8(13),11,14-triene-9,10-dione (5), and a seco-pseudopterosin 7-O-α-l-fucopyranoside named seco-pseudopterosin K (7). Elisabethatrienol can be regarded as a biosynthetic intermediate leading to erogorgiaene.     

Ligustolide A and B, two novel sesquiterpenes with rare skeletons and three 1,10-seco-guaianolide derivatives from Achillea ligustica

Achillea ligustica afforded two novel sesquiterpene lactones with rare 5/6/5 skeletons, three 1,10-seco-guaianolides and a chlorine-containing sesquiterpene lactone as well as six known compounds, including two monoterpenes, two guaianolides, one eudesmane and one secocaryophyllene derivative. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by extensive application of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of seco-psymberin/irciniastatin A: the discovery of a novel PhI(OAc)2 mediated cascade cyclization reaction

The psymberin unsaturated ‘psymberate’ side chain 7 was synthesized in 7 steps (36% yield) with good diastereoselectivity using commercially available starting material to control the stereochemistry at C₄ and C₅. The synthesis of seco-psymberin was completed in an efficient manner based on a CuI mediated coupling reaction between vinyl iodide 8 and ‘psymberamide’ 7. In an attempt to synthesize natural psymberin from the seco-intermediate, a novel PhI(OAc)₂ mediated cascade ring closing reaction was discovered. A possible mechanistic pathway for the formation of the ring closing product was presented.