Three New, 1‐Oxygenated ent‐8,9‐Secokaurane Diterpenes from Croton kongensis

Three new ent‐8,9‐secokaurane diterpenes, kongensins A–C ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Croton kongensis, together with two known compounds, rabdoumbrosanin ( 4 ) and (7α,14β)‐7,14‐dihydroxy‐ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐15‐one ( 5 ). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by HR‐MS as well as in‐depth 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses. Compounds 1 – 3 showed an unusual oxygenation pattern, with an AcO or OH group at C(1), in combination with a Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾ unsaturation ( 1 ) or an 8,14‐epoxide function ( 2, 3 ).     

New Pyrrole Alkaloids with Bulky N‐Alkyl Side Chains Containing Stereogenic Centers from Lycium chinense

Four new pyrrole alkaloids, methyl 2‐[2‐formyl‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]propanoate ( 1 ), methyl 2‐[2‐formyl‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propanoate ( 2 ), dimethyl 2‐[2‐formyl‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]butanedioate ( 3 ), and dimethyl 2‐[2‐formyl‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]pentanedioate ( 4 ), were isolated from the AcOEt extract of the fruits of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae). The stereogenic center C(2) in the bulky N‐alkyl side chain in each of 1 – 4 seems to hold the H‐atoms of nearby CH₂ groups, CH₂(7′) and CH₂(3) (if R≠H), leading to two different chemical shifts in the ¹H‐NMR spectrum due to their diastereotopic characteristics. In the ¹H‐NMR data of each of 2 – 4 , the enhancement of H? C(2) signal was inhibited by the R group, probably due to steric hindrance, and its chemical shift was influenced by the anisotropy effect. The structures of 1 – 4 were elucidated by analysis of various spectroscopic data, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Thebaine Derivatives as Potential Opioid Agonists and Antagonists: 2‐[N‐(1H‐Tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐6,14‐endo‐etheno‐6,7,8,14‐tetrahydrothebaine‐7α‐yl]‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles

In this study, we report the synthesis a series of novel 2‐[N‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐6,14‐endo‐etheno‐6,7,8,14‐tetrahydrothebaine‐7α‐yl]‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives ( 7a – e ) which have potential opioid antagonist and agonist. The substitution reaction of 6,14‐endo‐ethenotetrahydrothebaine‐7α‐carbohydrazide with corresponding benzoyl chlorides gave diacylhydrazine compounds 4a – e in good yields. The treatment of compounds 4a – e with POCl₃ caused the conversion of side‐chain of compounds 5a – e into 1,3,4‐oxadiazole ring at C(7) position; thus, compounds 5a – e were obtained. Subsequently, cyanamides ( 6a – e ) were prepared from compounds 5a – e and then compounds 7a – e were synthesized by the azidation of 6a – e with NaN₃. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of their IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C APT, 2D‐NMR (COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC) and high‐resolution mass spectral data.     

Trangmolins A–F with an Unprecedented Structural Plasticity of the Rings A and B: New Insight into Limonoid Biosynthesis

The absolute stereostructures of trangmolins A–F ( 1 – 6 ), limonoids with three new and one known topologies of the rings A and B, were unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopic investigations, single‐crystal XRD analysis, and quantum‐chemical electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 1 – 3 contain a hexahydro‐1H‐inden‐4‐one motif, compound 4 comprises a hexahydro‐2,6‐methanobenzofuran‐7‐one cage, and compound 5 consists of a hexahydro‐2H‐2,8‐epoxychromene scaffold. The C1?C30 linkage in 1 – 3 and the C3?C30 connection in 4 form two unprecedented types of ring A/B‐fused carbobicyclic cores: viii and ix . The oxidative cleavage of the C2?C3 bond in 5 and heterocyclization in 4 and 5 constitute the unprecedented tricyclic 6/6/5 ring A/B¹/B²‐ and 6/5/6 ring A¹A²/B‐fused topologies, respectively, which are uncovered, for the first time, in the construction of limonoid architectures. The diverse cyclization patterns of 1 – 6 reveal an unparalleled structural plasticity of rings A and B in limonoid biosynthesis.     

Bipolarolides A–G: Ophiobolin‐Derived Sesterterpenes with Three New Carbon Skeletons from Bipolaris sp. TJ403‐B1

Bipolarolides A–G ( 1 – 7 ), seven novel ophiobolin‐derived sesterterpenes with three new types of skeletons, were characterized from fungus Bipolaris sp. TJ403‐B1. Their structures were determined via spectroscopic analyses, X‐ray crystallography, and quantum chemical ¹³C NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 were uniquely defined by a multicyclic caged oxapentacyclo[9.3.0.0^1,6.0^5,9.1^8,12]pentadecane‐bridged system. Compounds 3 and 4 featured an unprecedented 5‐5‐5‐5‐fused core skeleton, while 3 also contained an unexpected C‐3–C‐14 oxygen bridge to construct the caged architecture. Compounds 5 – 7 form a new class of highly modified pentacyclic oxaspiro[4.4]nonane‐containing sesterterpene‐alkaloid hybrids. Their biosynthetic pathways and potential HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities are also discussed.     

Hydroacridines: Part 23. 1H and 13C NMR spectra of sym‐octahydroacridine,its 9‐(3‐pyridyl) and 9‐(4‐pyridyl) derivatives and the corresponding N(10)‐oxides. An experimental approach to the diamagnetic anisotropy of the pyridine nucleus

The complete ¹H NMR chemical shift assignments of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydroacridine ( 1 ), 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydro‐9‐(3‐pyridyl)acridine ( 2 ), 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydro‐9‐(4‐pyridyl)acridine ( 3 ) and the corresponding N(10)‐oxides 1a , 2a and 3a , respectively, were achieved on the basis of 400 MHz ¹H NMR spectra and proton–proton decoupling, HMQC and NOEDIFF experiments. The spectral data for the above compounds provided the first experimental evidence of the difference in the anisotropy effect of the two non‐symmetrical moieties of the pyridine nucleus, and allowed us to ascertain that the shielding effect of the moiety defined by the C(2′)—N—C(6′) atoms is weaker than that of the C(3′)—C(4′)—C(5′) moiety. The ¹³C NMR spectra of 1 – 3 and 1a – 3a and the effect of N(10)‐oxidation on the ¹³C NMR chemical shifts are also discussed. The N‐oxidation of 2 and 3 with m‐chloroperbenzoic acid occurred regiospecifically, affording the N(10)‐oxides 2a and 3a free of N(1′)‐oxide isomers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tumor‐Promoting Diterpene Esters from Latex of Euphorbia cauducifolia L.

Tumor‐promoting characteristics of seven esters, 1 – 7 , obtained from the latex of Euphorbia cauducifolia L. was appraised by carrying out NMRI mice back skin. The structures of 1 – 7 were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques like ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, 2D‐NMR (HMQC, HMBC, HOHAHA (homonuclear Hartmann–Hahn), NOESY, and NOE), FT‐IR, UV, and MS as esters of 17‐hydroxyingenol, namely 17‐[(2Z,4E,6Z)‐deca‐2,4,6‐trienoyloxy]ingenol ( 1 ), 3‐O‐angeloyl‐17‐[(2Z,4E,6Z)‐deca‐2,4,6‐trienoyloxy]ingenol ( 2 ), 3‐O‐acetyl‐20‐O‐angeloyl‐17‐hydroxyingenol ( 3 ), 17‐(acetyloxy)‐3‐O‐angelyl‐ingenol ( 4 ), 20‐O‐acetyl‐3‐O‐angeloyl‐17‐hydroxyingenol ( 5 ), 3‐O‐angelyl‐17‐(benzoyloxy)ingenol ( 6 ) and 20‐O‐acetyl‐3‐O‐angelyl‐17‐(benzoyloxy)ingenol ( 7 ). Compounds 1 – 4 were isolated for the first time, whereas 5 – 7 are known metabolites but detected for the first time in this plant. Biological investigations revealed that these compounds are tumor promoters.     

Pregnane‐Type Steroidal Alkaloids of Sarcococca saligna: a New Class of Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Phytochemical investigation of Sarcococca saligna by extensive bioassay‐guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of the pregnane‐type steroidal alkaloids 1 – 15 , i.e. of the five new compounds 1 – 5 and the ten known alkaloids 6 – 15 . The structures of the new alkaloids salignenamide C ( 1 ), salignenamide D ( 2 ), 2β‐hydroxyepipachysamine D ( 3 ), salignenamide E ( 4 ), and salignenamide F ( 5 ) were elucidated with the help of modern spectroscopic techniques, while the known alkaloids axillarine C ( 6 ), axillarine F ( 7 ), sarcorine ( 8 ), N³‐demethylsaracodine ( 9 ), saligcinnamide ( 10 ), salignenamide A ( 11 ), vaganine A ( 12 ), axillaridine A ( 13 ), sarsalignone ( 14 ), and sarsalignenone ( 15 ) were identified by comparing their spectral data with those reported earlier. Inhibition of electric‐eel acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) and horse‐serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) by alkaloids 1 – 15 were investigated. These new cholinesterase inhibitors may act as potential leads in the discovery of clinically useful inhibitors for nervous‐system disorders, particularly by reducing memory deficiency in Alzheimer's disease patients by potentiating and effecting the cholinergic transmission process. These compounds were found to inhibit both enzymes in a concentration‐dependent fashion with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.21–227.92 μM against acetylcholinesterase and 2.18–38.36 μM against butyrylcholinesterase.     

Cytotoxic and chemotaxonomic study of isolated metabolites from Centaurea aegyptiaca

The aerial parts of Centaureaa egyptiaca afforded 10 secondary metabolites including four sesquiterpene lactones; chlorohyssopifolin A (centaurepensin) ( 1 ), rediolpidetriol ( 2 ), linichlorinA ( 3 ), and sinaicin ( 4 ), one monoterpene; loliolid ( 5 ), one phenolic: tyrosol ( 6 ), three lignans; arctigenin ( 7 ), matairesinol ( 8 ), and pinoresinol ( 9 ), and one steroid; ergosta‐5,22‐dien‐3‐ol ( 10 ). The cluster analysis of 32 Centaurea species revealed that C. aegyptiaca is closely related to C. repens and C. solstitialise. The isolated compounds ( 1 – 10 ) were screened against CCRF‐CEM‐leukemia, MDA‐MB‐231‐pcDNA3 breast cancer, and HCT116 (p53⁺/⁺) colon carcinoma cell lines. Compounds 1 and 2 were the most potent compounds against both leukemia and breast carcinoma cell lines.     

Sesquiterpenes from Rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus with Cytotoxic Activities on Human Cancer Cells in vitro

Two new sesquiterpenes, cyperusol A₃ ( 1 ) and 3β‐hydroxycyperenoic acid ( 2 ), along with three known sesquiterpenes, britanlin E ( 3 ), 1β,4α‐dihydroxyeudesm‐11‐ene ( 4 ), and 11,12‐dihydroxyeudesm‐4‐en‐3‐one ( 5 ), were isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus L. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by physical and spectroscopic methods (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, 2D‐NMR, and MS). All of the isolates, 1 – 5 , were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human ovarian cancer cells (A2780) and endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa) using MTT assays.     

Unprecedented Ring–Ring Interconversion of N,P,C‐Cage Ligands

The novel N,P,C‐cage complexes 5 a – f and 6 a – f have been obtained by the reaction of the P‐pentamethylcyclopentadienylphosphinidene complex 2 , generated thermally from 2H‐azaphosphirene complex 1 , with N‐methyl‐C‐arylcarbaldimines 3 a – f . Li/Cl phosphinidenoid complex 8 reacted with 3 a , b to give N,P,C‐cage complexes 6 a , b , whereas with 3 c – f , complexes 6 c – f were obtained in negligible amounts only. Both types of ligand N,P,C‐cage structures 5 and 6 were found to be in an unprecedented equilibrium, with 5 a , f as the predominant species. Transient electrophilic terminal phosphinidene complexes 10 a – f serve as intermediates in both ligand interconversions ( 5 a , f ? 6 a , f ), as evidenced through trapping reactions with phenylacetylene and N‐methyl‐C‐phenylcarbaldimine, thus leading to the novel N,P,C‐cage complexes 13 b and 15 . DFT calculations predicted a small difference in the relative energies of the two types of N,P,C‐cage ligands, and a remarkable stabilisation of the aminophosphinidene complex 10 as the common precursor, thereby providing an insight into this surprising 5‐ring–3‐ring interconversion. In depth analysis of intermediate 10 revealed the occurrence of both through‐bond (conventional inductive/mesomeric effects) and through‐space (non‐covalent interactions) mechanisms, which amount to 67.8 and 14.4 kcal mol^?1, respectively, and account for the remarkable stabilisation of this intermediate.     

Influence of Halogen Substitution in the Ligand Sphere on the Antitumor and Antibacterial Activity of Half‐sandwich Ruthenium(II) Complexes [RuX(η6‐arene)(C5H4N‐2‐CH=N‐Ar)]+

New complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(C₅H₄N‐2‐CH=N–Ar)X]PF₆ [X = Br ( 1 ), I ( 2 ); Ar = 4‐fluorophenyl ( a ), 4‐chlorophenyl ( b ), 4‐bromophenyl ( c ), 4‐iodophenyl ( d ), 2,5‐dichlorophenyl ( e )] were prepared, as well as 3a – 3e (X = Cl) and the new complexes [(η⁶‐arene)RuCl(N‐N)]PF₆ (arene = C₆H₅OCH₂CH₂OH, N‐N = 2,2′‐bipyridine ( 4 ), 2,6‐(dimethylphenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 5 ), 2,6‐(diisopropylphenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 6 ); arene = p‐cymene, N‐N = 4‐(aminophenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 7 )]. X‐ray diffraction studies were performed for 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 2b , 5 , and 7 . Cytotoxicities of 1a – 1d and 2 were established versus human cancer cells epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco‐2) (IC₅₀: 35.8–631.0 μM), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) (IC₅₀: 36.3–128.8.0 μM), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) (IC₅₀: 60.6–439.8 μM), 3a – 3e were tested against HepG2 and Caco‐2, and 4 – 7 were tested against Caco‐2. 1 – 7 were tested against non‐cancerous human epithelial kidney cells. 1 and 2 were more selective towards tumor cells than the anticancer drug 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), but 3a – 3e (X = Cl) were not selective. 1 and 2 had good activity against MCF7, some with lower IC₅₀ than 5‐FU. Complexes with X = Br or I had moderate activity against Caco‐2 and HepG2, but those with Cl were inactive. Antibacterial activities of 1a , 2b , 3a , and 7 were tested against antibacterial susceptible and resistant Gram‐negative and ‐positive bacteria. 1a , 2b , and 3a showed activity against methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MIC = 31–2000 μg · mL^–1).     

Cuparene‐Derived Sesquiterpenes from the Chinese Red Alga Laurencia okamurai Yamada

Four new cuparene‐derived sesquiterpenes, laureperoxide ( 1 ), 10‐bromoisoaplysin ( 2 ), isodebromolaurinterol ( 3 ), and 10‐hydroxyisolaurene ( 4 ), together with seven known, related sesquiterpenes, 5 – 11 , have been isolated from the red alga Laurencia okamurai. Their structures were determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses and comparison with known compounds. Compounds 8 – 11 were shown for the first time to represent true natural products, and the full ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR assignments of 5 are reported for the first time.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Iminophosphocin Derivatives

Iminophosphocins 8a – 8e and 9a – 9e were synthesized in four‐step reactions via Staudinger reaction. 3‐(Bromomethyl)‐1,2,3,4,5‐pentahydro‐3λ⁵‐naphtho[1,8‐f,g][1,5,3]diazaphosphocin‐3‐one ( 3 ) was prepared by reacting tris(bromomethyl)phosphineoxide ( 1 ) with 1,8‐diaminonaphthalene ( 2 ) in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF), and treated with L‐valine methyl ester ( 4 ) and bis(2‐chloroethyl)amine ( 5 ) in the presence of TEA in dry THF to get 3‐methyl‐2‐[(3‐oxo‐1,2,3,4,5‐pentahydro‐3λ⁵‐naphtho[1,8‐f,g][1,5,3]diazaphosphocin‐3‐yl)methylamino]butanoate ( 6 ) and 3‐[di(2‐chloroethyl)aminomethyl]‐1,2,3,4,5‐pentahydro‐3λ⁵‐ naphtho[1,8‐f,g][1,5,3]diazaphosphocin‐3‐one ( 7 ). The compounds 6 and 7 were treated with trichlorosilane (SiCl₃H) in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) to form the trivalent P(III) intermediates 8 and 9 , which were further treated with various alkyl azides in dry THF in 55–60°C to afford the title compounds 8a – 8e and 9a – 9e . Their structures were established by multi‐nuclear NMR and mass spectra. All the newly synthesized compounds were found to possess moderate anti‐microbial activity.     

Synthesis and Cyclization of 8‐Formyl‐2‐(phenoxymethyl)quinoline‐3‐carboxylic Acids

A facile synthesis of a series of new quinoline‐8‐carbaldehyde compounds, namely 8‐formyl‐2‐(phenoxymethyl)quinoline‐3‐carboxylic acids ( 4a – 4h ) and 13‐oxo‐6,13‐dihydro[1]benzoxepino[3,4‐b]quinoline‐8‐carbaldehyde ( 5a – 5g ) is described, involving the one‐pot synthesis reaction of ethyl 2‐(chloromethyl)‐8‐formylquinoline‐3‐carboxylate ( 3 ) with substituted phenols followed by the intramolecular cyclization reaction via the treatment with polyphosphoric acid (PPA). Quinoline‐8‐carbaldehydes 4a – 4h and 5a – 5g are novel and their structures were supported by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS and elemental analysis.     

Reactivity of an N,N‐Chelated Germylene Toward Substituted Alkynes,Alkenes, and Allenes

Treatment of N,N‐chelated germylene [(iPr)₂NB(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ge ( 1 ) with ferrocenyl alkynes containing carbonyl functionalities, FcC≡CC(O)R, resulted in [2+2+2] cyclization and formation of the respective ferrocenylated 3‐Fc‐4‐C(O)R‐1,2‐digermacyclobut‐3‐enes 2 – 4 [R = Me ( 2 ), OEt ( 3 ) and NMe₂ ( 4 )] bearing intact carbonyl substituents. In contrast, the reaction between 1 and PhC(O)C≡CC(O)Ph led to activation of both C≡C and C=O bonds producing bicyclic compound containing two five‐membered 1‐germa‐2‐oxacyclopent‐3‐ene rings sharing one C–C bond, 4,8‐diphenyl‐3,7‐dioxa‐2,6‐digermabicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐4,8‐diene ( 5 ). With N‐methylmaleimide containing an analogous C(O)CH=CHC(O) fragment, germylene 1 reacted under [2+2+2] cyclization involving the C=C double bond, producing 1,2‐digermacyclobutane 6 with unchanged carbonyl moieties. Finally, 1 selectively added to the terminal double bond in allenes CH₂=C=CRR′ giving rise to 3‐(=CRR′)‐1,2‐digermacyclobutanes [R/R′ = Me/Me ( 7 ), H/OMe ( 8 )] bearing an exo‐C=C double bond. All compounds were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy and the molecular structures of 3 , 4 , 5 , and 8 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The redox behavior of ferrocenylated derivatives 2 – 4 was studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Sesquiterpenoids from the Fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla and Their Anti‐Acetylcholinesterase Activity

Fourteen sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq . Their structures were elucidated based on NMR analyses (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and identified as 12‐nornootkaton‐6‐en‐11‐one ( 3 ), (+)‐(3S,4aS,5R)‐2,3,4,4a,5,6‐hexahydro‐3‐isopropenyl‐4a,5‐dimethyl‐1,7‐naphthoquinone ( 5 ), nootkatene ( 6 ), 9β‐hydroxynootkatone ( 7 ), 2β‐hydroxy‐δ‐cadinol ( 8 ), 4‐isopropyl‐6‐methyl‐1‐tetralone ( 11 ), oxyphyllone E ( 12 ), oxyphyllone D ( 13 ), oxyphyllanene B ( 15 ), oxyphyllone A ( 16 ), oxyphyllol E ( 17 ), (9E)‐humulene‐2,3;6,7‐diepoxide ( 18 ), mustakone ( 20 ), and pubescone ( 21 ). Among them, 3 was a new norsesquiterpenoid, 8 was a new natural product, and 5, 6, 11, 20, 21 were isolated from A. oxyphylla for the first time. Twenty sesquiterpenoids, 1 – 5 and 7 – 21 , were investigated for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities, including previously isolated seven sesquiterpenoids from A. oxyphylla, (11S)‐12‐chloronootkaton‐11‐ol ( 1 ), (11R)‐12‐chloronootkaton‐11‐ol ( 2 ), nootkatone ( 4 ), oxyphyllenodiol A ( 9 ), oxyphyllenodiol B ( 10 ), 7‐epiteucrenone B ( 14 ), and alpinenone ( 19 ). TLC‐Bioautographic assay indicated that 1 – 4, 7, 14, 16, 18, 19 , and 21 displayed anti‐AChE activities at 10 nmol. Microplate assay confirmed that 19, 18, 16 , and 21 displayed moderate‐to‐weak anti‐AChE activities at the concentration of 100 μM , and 19 was the most potent inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 81.6±3.5 μM . The presence of anti‐AChE sesquiterpenoids in A. oxyphylla may partially support the traditional use of this fruit for the treatment of dementia.     

Structure elucidation of [1,3]oxazolo[4,5‐e][2,1]benzisoxazole and naphtho[1,2‐d][1,3]‐ and phenanthro[9,10‐d]oxazoles using gradient selected gHMBC,gHMQC and gHMQC‐TOCSY NMR techniques

Structure elucidation of compounds in the benzisoxazole series ( 1 – 6 ) and naphtho[1,2‐d][1,3]‐ ( 7 – 10 ) and phenanthro[9,10‐d][1,3]oxazole ( 11 – 14 ) series was accomplished using extensive 2D NMR spectroscopic studies including ¹H–¹H COSY, long‐ range ¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C COSY, gHMQC, gHMBC and gHMQC‐TOCSY experiments. The distinction between oxazole and isoxazole rings was made on the basis of the magnitude of heteronuclear one‐bond ¹J_{C2, H2} (or ¹J_{C3, H3}) coupling constants. Complete analysis of the ¹H NMR spectra of 11 – 14 was achieved by iterative calculations. Gradient selected gHMQC‐TOCSY spectra of phenanthro[9,10‐d][1,3]oxazoles 11 – 14 were obtained at different mixing times (12, 24, 36, 48 and 80 ms) to identify the spin system where the protons of phenanthrene ring at H‐5, H‐6 and at H‐9 and H‐7 and H‐8 were highly overlapping. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical Composition of the Volatile Oil from the Roots of Selinum tenuifolium Wall.

The essential oil from the underground parts of Selinum tenuifolium Wall. (Apiaceae) was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger‐type apparatus, and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. Nine constituents, representing 97.7% of the total oil, were identified, five of which belong to the class of polyacetylenes. The structures of the compounds 1 – 5 were elucidated by using IR, MS, and ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR data after purification by column chromatography. The major constituent detected was nona‐3,5‐diyne ( 1 ; 85.6% of the total volatiles), followed by nona‐3,5‐diyn‐2‐one ( 2 ), nona‐4,6‐diyn‐3‐one ( 3 ), nona‐3,5‐diyn‐2‐ol ( 4 ), and nona‐4,6‐diyn‐3‐ol ( 5 ), accounting for 3.0, 2.5, 2.2, and 3.1% of the total volatiles, respectively. The latter four polyacetylenes, 2 – 5 , were never reported in plants so far, and, therefore should be regarded as novel compounds.     

Solid‐State and Solution Structural Studies of 4‐{[C(E)]‐1H‐Azol‐1‐ylimino)methyl}pyridin‐3‐ols

The new N‐salicylideneheteroarenamines 1 – 4 were prepared by reacting the biologically relevant 3‐hydroxy‐4‐pyridinecarboxaldehyde ( 5 ) with 1H‐imidazol‐1‐amine ( 6 ), 1H‐pyrazol‐1‐amine ( 7 ), 1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐amine ( 8 ), and 1H‐1,3,4‐triazol‐1‐amine ( 9 ). Solution ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ¹⁵N‐NMR were used to establish that the hydroxyimino form A is the predominant tautomer. A combination of ¹³C‐ and ¹⁵N‐CPMAS‐NMR with X‐ray crystallographic studies confirms that the same form is present in the solid state. The stabilities and H‐bond geometries of the different forms, tautomers and rotamers, are discussed by using B3LYP/6‐31G** calculations.