Synthesis,Isolation, and Full Spectroscopic Characterization of Eleven (Z)-Isomers of (3R,3′R)-Zeaxanthin

Developmental efforts to improve the yield of the chemical synthesis of (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin resulted in the isolation, partly by chromatography from reaction mixtures, and full spectroscopic characterization by ¹H-NMR, UV/VIS, and CD spectrosocpy of eleven (Z/E)-isomers of zeaxanthin: (7Z)-, (9Z), (13Z)-, (15Z)-, (7Z,7′Z)-, (9Z,9′Z)- (7Z,9Z,7Z)-, (7Z,11Z,7′Z)-, (9Z,13Z,9′Z)-, (7Z,9Z,7′Z,9′Z)-, and (7Z,9Z,11Z,7′Z,9′Z)-zeaxanthin. Five of these isomers were obtained by specific synthesis, namely the (7Z)-, (7Z,7′Z)-, (9Z,9′Z)-, (7Z,9Z,7′Z)-, and (7Z,9Z,7′Z-9Z)-isomers.     

HPLC von Carotinen mit ψ-Endgruppen und (Z)-Konfiguration an terminalen konjugierten Doppelbindungen; Isolierung von (5Z)-Lycopin aus Tomaten

HPLC of Carotenes with ψ-End Groups and (Z)-Configuration at Terminal Conjugated Double Bonds; Isolation of (5Z)-Lycopene from Tomatoes Five carotenes bearing (5Z)-ψ-end groups were synthesized and carefully characterized: (5Z)-lycopene ( 6 ), (5Z5′Z)-lycopene ( 7 ), (5′Z)-neurosporene ( 8 ), (5′Z)-β,ψ-carotene ( 12 ), and (5′Z)-ε,ψ-carotene ( 14 ). Lycopene 6 was isolated from tomatoes and its structure proven by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy.     

(all-E)-12′-Apozeaxanthinol,Persicaxanthine und Persicachrome

( all-E)-12′-Apozeanthinol, Persicaxanthine, and Persicachromes Reexamination of the so-called ‘persicaxanthins’ and ‘persicachromes’, the fluorescent and polar C₂₅-apocarotenols from the flesh of cling peaches, led to the identification of the following components: (3R)-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 3 ), (3S,5R,8R, all-E)- and (3S,5R,8S,all-E)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diols (4 and 5, resp.), (3S,5R,6S,all-E)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-l2′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol =persicaxanthin; ( 6 ), (3S,5R,6S,9Z,13′Z)-5,6-dihydro-12′apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 7 ; probable structure), (3S,5R,6S,15Z)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 8 ), and (3S,5R,6S,13Z)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 9 ). The (Z)-isomers 7 – 9 are very labile and, after HPLC separation, isomerized predominantly to the (all-E)-isomer 6 .     

Synthesen von Carotinen mit ψ-Endgruppen und (Z)-Konfiguration an terminalen konjugierten Doppelbindungen

Syntheses of Carotenes with ψ-End Groups and (Z)-Configuration at Terminal Conjugated Double Bonds Five carotenes bearing (5Z)-ψ-end groups were synthesized and carefully characterized: (5Z)-lycopene ( 6 ), (5Z5′Z)-lycopene ( 7 ), (5′Z)-neurosporene ( 8 ), (5′Z)-β,ψ-carotene ( 12 ), and (5′Z)-ε,ψ-carotene ( 14 ).     

(E/Z)‐Isomerization of (all‐E)‐5,6‐Diepikarpoxanthin

(all‐E)‐5,6‐Diepikarpoxanthin (=(all‐E,3S,5S,6S,3′R)‐5,6‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,5,6,3′‐tetrol; 1 ) was submitted to thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structures of the main products, i.e. (9Z)‐ ( 2 ), (9′Z)‐ ( 3 ), (13Z)‐ ( 4 ), (13′Z)‐ ( 5 ), and (15Z)‐5,6‐diepikarpoxanthin ( 6 ), were determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectra. In addition, (9Z,13′Z)‐ or (13Z,9′Z)‐ ( 7 ), (9Z,9′Z)‐ ( 8 ), and (9Z,13Z)‐ or (9′Z,13′Z)‐5,6‐diepikarpoxanthin ( 9 ) were tentatively identified as minor products of the I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization.     

1,2-Epoxycarotinoide. 4. Mitteilung. Synthese, 1H-NMR- und CD-Studien von (S)-1,2-Epoxy-1,2-dihydrolycopin und (S)-1′,2′-Epoxy-1′,2′-dihydro-γ-carotin

1,2-Epoxycarotenoids: Synthesis, ¹H-NMR and CD Studies of (S)-1,2-Epoxy-1,2-dihydrolycopene and (S)-1′,2′-Epoxy-1′, 2′ -dihydro-γ-carotene The synthesis of (S)-1,2-epoxy-1,2-dihydrolycopene (^(S)- 1 ) and (S)-1′, 2′ -epoxy- 1′, 2′ -dihydro-γ-carotene ((S)- 2 ) are described. The CD spectra of the (all-E)-isomers and of the isomers (7Z, S)- 1 and (7′Z, S)- 2 are discussed. The comparison of the CD spectra of the synthetic (S)- 1 and the compound isolated from the tomatoes proves the (S)-configuration of the natural product.     

Isolation by HPLC. and Identification by NMR. Spectroscopy of 11 mono-, di- and tri-cis isomers of an aromatic analogue of retinoic acid,ethyl all-trans-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-nona-2,4,6, 8-tetraenoate

Photoisomerization of an aromatic analogue of retinoic acid, ethyl all-trans-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-nona-2,4,6, 8-tetraenoate 1 in dilute solutions of hexane, benzene, and ethanol yielded multi-component mixtures of cis isomers which were separated by HPLC. FT-¹H-NMR. at 270 MHz and, in some cases, homonuclear decoupling and Overhauser experiments as well as ¹³C-NMR. were applied to establish the structures of 4 mono-cis, 4 (of 6 possible) di-cis, and 3 (of 4 possible) tri-cis isomers. The structures of 3 isomeric esters, namely (2Z, 4E, 6E, 8E) 6 , (2Z, 4Z, 6E, 8E) 9 , and (2Z, 4Z, 6Z, 8E) 7 were independently confirmed by direct syntheses. The ¹H-NMR. data of all these compounds and the ¹³C-NMR. data of the all-trans and of 6 cis isomers available in sufficiently large quantities are discussed.     

(E/Z)‐Isomerization of 3′‐Epilutein

3′‐Epilutein (=(all‐E,3R,3′S,6′R)‐4′,5′‐didehydro‐5′,6′‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,3′‐diol; 1 ), isolated from the flowers of Caltha palustris, was submitted to both thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structures of the main products (9Z)‐ 1 , (9′Z)‐ 1 , (13Z)‐ 1 , (13′Z)‐ 1 , (15Z)‐ 1 , and (9Z,9′Z)‐ 1 were determined based on UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and MS data.     

Absolute Konfiguration von Loroxanthin (=(3R, 3′R, 6′R)-β, ϵ-Carotin-3, 19, 3′-triol)

Absolute Configuration of Loroxanthin (=(3R, 3′R, 6′R)-β, ?-Carotene-3, 19, 3′-triol) ‘Loroxanthin’, isolated from Chlorella vulgaris, was separated by HPLC. methods in two major isomers, a mono-cis-loroxanthin and the all-trans-form. Solutions of the pure isomers easily set up again a mixture of the cis/trans-isomers. Extensive ¹H-NMR. spectral measurements at 400 MHz allowed to establish the 3′, 6′-trans-configuration at the ?-end group in both isomers and the (9E)-configuration in the mono-cis-isomer. The absolute configurations at C(3) and C(6′) were deduced from CD. correlations with synthetic (9Z, 3R, 6′R)-β, ?-carotene-3, 19-diol ( 5 ) and (9E, 3R, 6′R)-β, ?-carotene-3, 19-diol ( 6 ), respectively. Thus, all-trans-loroxanthin ( 3 ) is (9Z, 3R, 3′R, 6′R)-β, ?-carotene-3, 19, 3′-triol and its predominant mono-cis-isomer is (9E, 3R, 3′R, 6′R)-β, ?-carotene-3, 19, 3′-triol ( 4 ). Cooccurrence in the same organism and identical chirality at all centers suggest that loroxanthin is biosynthesized from lutein ( 2 ).     

Preparation and (E/Z)‐Isomerization of the Diastereoisomers of Violaxanthin

Violaxanthin A (=(all‐E,3S,5S,6R,3′S,5′S,6′R)‐5,6 : 5′,6′‐diepoxy‐5,6,5′,6′‐tetrahydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,3′‐diol =syn,syn‐violaxanthin; 5 ) and violaxanthin B (=(all‐E,3S,5S,6R,3′S,5′R,6′S)‐5,6 : 5′,6′‐diepoxy‐5,6,5′,6′‐tetrahydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,3′‐diol=syn,anti‐violaxanthin; 6 ) were prepared by epoxidation of zeaxanthin diacetate ( 1 ) with monoperphthalic acid. Violaxanthins 5 and 6 were submitted to thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structure of the main products, i.e., (9Z)‐ 5 , (13Z)‐ 5 , (9Z)‐ 6 , (9′Z)‐ 6 , (13Z)‐ 6 , and (13′Z)‐ 6 , was determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and mass spectra.     

Azimine. V.. Untersuchungen zur stereoisomerie an der N(2), N(3)-bindung von 2, 3-dialkyl-1-phthalimido-aziminen

Azimines. V. Investigation on the Stereoisomerism Around the N (2), N (3) Bond in 2, 3-Dialkyl-1-phthalimido-azimines 2, 3-(cis-1, 3-Cyclopentylene)-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 7 ) and isomerically pure (2 Z)- and (2 E)-2, 3-diisopropyl-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 9a and 9b ) were prepared by the addition of phthalimido-nitrene ( 1 ) to 2, 3-diazabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 6 ) and to (E)- and (Z)-1, 1′-dimethylazoethane ( 8a and 8b ), respectively. Comparison of their UV. spectra with those of two stereoisomeric azimines of known configuration, namely (1 E, 2 Z)- and (1 Z, 2 E)-2, 3-dimethyl-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 5a and 5b ), reveals that 2, 3-dialkyl-1-phthalimido-azimines with (2 Z)-configuration are characterized by a shoulder at about 258 nm (? ≈? 14,000) and those with (2 E)-configuration by a maximum at 270–278 nm (? ≈? 10,000). The (2 E)-azimine 9b isomerizes under acid catalysis as well as thermally and photochemically into the more stable (2 Z)-isomer 9a . Under the last two conditions the isomerization is accompanied by a slower fragmentation with loss of nitrogen into N, N′-diisopropyl-N, N′-phthaloylhydrazine ( 4 , R = iso-C₃H₇). The same fragmentation was also observed on thermolysis and photolysis of the (2 Z)-isomer 9a . The kinetic parameters for the thermal isomerization of 9b (they fit first-order plots) and for the fragmentation of 9a and 9b were determined by ¹H-NMR. spectroscopy in benzene, trichloromethane and acetonitrile. In the photolysis of 9a or 9b the fragmentation is accompanied by dissociation into the azo compounds 8a or 8b and the nitrene 1 , the latter being subject to trapping by cyclohexene. With the azimine 7 , an analogous thermal fragmentation was observed to give N, N′-(cis-1, 3-cyclo-pentylene)-N, N′-phthaloylhydrazine ( 15 ), but more energetic conditions were required than with 9 . Photolysis of 7 led exclusively to dissociation into the azo compound 6 and the nitrene 1 , perhaps because the fragmentation of 7 is prevented by ring strain.     

Untersuchungen zur Carotinoidzusammensetzung in Blüten der Gartenhybride Narcissus cvv ‘Golden Harvest’

Investigation of the Carotenoid Composition in the Petals of a Garden Hybrid Narcissus cvv ‘Golden Harvest’ The carotenoid composition of the petals of a yellow garden hybrid Daffodil is reported. As major compound (all-E)-lutein was isolated. As minor compounds phytoene, phytofluene, (all-E)-β-carotene, (9Z)-lutein, (9′Z)-lutein, (13Z)-lutein, violaxanthin, and luteoxanthin were identified. The position of the (Z)-double bond of the different isomers of lutein could be proved by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy.     

Das Carotinoidspektrum der Hagebutten von Rosa pomifera: Nachweis von (5Z)-Neurosporin; Synthese von (3R, 15Z)-Rubixanthin

Carotenoids from Hips of Rosa pomifera: Discovery of (5Z)-Neurosporene; Synthesis of (3R, 15Z)-Rubixanthin Extensive chromatographic separations of the mixture of carotenoids from ripe hips of R. pomifera have led to the identification of 43 individual compounds, namely (Scheme 2): (15 Z)-phytoene (1) , (15 Z)-phytofluene (2) , all-(E)-phytofluene (2a) , ξ-carotene (3) , two mono-(Z)-ξ-carotenes ( 3a and 3b ), (6 R)-?, ψ-carotene (4) , a mono-(Z)-?, ψ-carotene (4a) , β, ψ-carotene (5) , a mono-(Z)-β, ψ-carotene (5a) , neurosporene (6) , (5 Z)-neurosporene (6a) , a mono-(Z)-neurosporene (6b) , lycopene (7) , five (Z)-lycopenes (7a–7e) , β, β-carotene (8) , two mono-(Z)-β, β-carotenes (probably (9 Z)-β, β-carotene (8a) and (13 Z)-β, β-carotene (8b) ), β-cryptoxanthin (9) , three (Z)-β-cryptoxanthins (9a–9c) , rubixanthin (10) , (5′ Z)-rubixanthin (=gazaniaxanthin; 10a ), (9′ Z)-rubixanthin (10b) , (13′ Z)- and (13 Z)-rubixanthin (10c and 10d , resp.), (5′ Z, 13′ Z)- or (5′ Z, 13 Z)-rubixanthin (10e) , lutein (11) , zeaxanthin (12) , (13 Z)-zeaxanthin (12b) , a mono-(Z)-zeaxanthin (probably (9 Z)-zeaxanthin (12a) ), (8 R)-mutatoxanthin (13) , (8 S)-mutatoxanthin (14) , neoxanthin (15) , (8′ R)-neochrome (16) , (8′ S)-neochrome (17) , a tetrahydroxycarotenoid (18?) , a tetrahydroxy-epoxy-carotenoid (19?) , and a trihydroxycarotenoid of unknown structure. Rubixanthin (10) and (5′ Z)-rubixanthin (10a) can easily be distinguished by HPLC. separation and CD. spectra at low temperature. The synthesis of (3 R, 15 Z)-rubixanthin (29) is described. The isolation of (5 Z)-neurosporene (6a) supports the hypothesis that the ?-end group arises by enzymatic cyclization of precursors having a (5 Z)- or (5′ Z)-configuration.     

(6R,9′Z)-Neoxanthin: Synthese,Schmelzverhalten, Spektren und Konformationsberechnungen

(6R,9′Z)-Neoxanthin: Synthesis, Physical Properties, Spectra, and Calculations of Its Conformation in Solution The synthesis of pure and crystalline (9′Z)-neoxanthin ( 6 ) is described. MnO₂ Oxidation of (9Z)-C₁₅-alcohol 7 at room temperature produces a mixture 8/9 of (9Z)- and (9E)-aldehydes. Predominant formation of the required (9Z)-aldehyde 8 is achieved by performing the oxidation at ? 10°. Condensation of 8 with the mono-Li salt of the symmetrical C₁₀-diphosphonate 10 gave the (9Z)-C₂₅-monophosphonate 11 . The Wittig-Horner condensation of 10 with the allenic C₁₅-aldehyde 1b , under selected conditions allows the preparation of pure and crystalline (9′Z)-15,15′-didehydroneoxanthin ( 12 ) and, after subsequent semireduction, of crystalline (15Z,9′Z)-neoxanthin ( 13 ). Thermal isomerisation of a AcOEt solution of 13 at 95° yields preferentially (9′Z)-neoxanthin ( 6 ). Our crystalline sample shows the highest ?-values in the UV/VIS spectra ever recorded. The CD spectra display a pronounced similarity with those of corresponding violaxanthin isomers. In contrast to the (all-E)-isomer 5 , (9′Z)-neoxanthin undergoes very little isomerisation when heated to its melting point. For comparison purposes, a crystalline probe of 6 is also isolated from lawn mowings. Extensive ¹H-and ¹³C-NMR investigations at 600 MHz of a (D₆)benzene solution using 2D-experiments such as COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HMBC, and HMQC techniques permit the unambiguous assignment of all signals. Force-field calculations of a model system of 6 indicate the presence of several interconverting conformers of the violaxanthin end group, 66% of which possess a pseudoequatorial and 34% a pseudoaxial OH? C(3′). The torsion angle (ω₁) around the C(6′)? C(7′) bond, known to be of prime importance for the shape of the CD spectra, varies with values of 87° for 55% and 263° for 45% of the molecules. Therefore, the molecules clearly display a preference for the ‘syn’-position of the C(7′)?C(8′) bond and the epoxy group. Unexpectedly, the double bonds of C(7′)?C(8′) and C(9′)?C(10′) are not coplanar. The deviation amounts to ± 20°, both in the ‘syn’ - and the ‘anti’-conformation.     

Reduktion von 1,2-bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzol: Synthese von Cyclotrisazobenzol ( = (5E,6aZ,11E,12aZ,17E,18aZ)-5,6,11,12,17,18-Hexaazatribenzo[aei][1,3,5,7,9,11]cyclododeca-hexaen)

Reduction of 1,2-Bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzene¹: Synthesis of Cyclotrisazobenzene ( = (5E,6aZ,11E,12aZ,17E,18aZ)-5,6,11,12,17,18-Hexaazatribenzo[aei][1,3,5,7,9,11]cyclododeca-hexaene) Na₂S reduction of 1,2-bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzene ( 2 ) yielded 3 deoxygenated products: the (known) red 2,2′-((E,E)-1,2-phenylenbisazo)dianiline ( 3 , 23%), the orange 2-[2-((E)-2-aminophenylazo)phenyl]-2H-benzotriazol ( 4 , 55%) and the colorless 2,2′-(1,2-phenylene)di-2H-benzotriazol ( 5 , 13%). The constitutions of 3 – 5 and of 6 , the N-acetyl derivative of 4 , were deduced from their ¹H-NMR spectra (chemical shifts, couplings, and symmetry properties), and the configurations of 3 , 4 , and 6 at their N,N-double bonds are assumed to be the same as in 2 . Oxidation of 3 with 2 mol-equiv. of Pb(OAc)₄ afforded 5 (47%) and a novel, highly symmetrical macrocycle, called cyclotrisazobenzene ( 7 , 24%). The constitution of 7 as a tribenzo-hexaaza[12]annulene and its (E)-configuration at the N,N-bonds was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The molecular symmetry expressed by the ¹H-, ¹³C- and ¹⁵N-NMR spectra of 7 reveals a rapid torsional motion around the six N,C bonds. This implies that the N,N-double bonds in the cyclic 12π-electron system (or 24π-electron system if the benzene rings are included) of 7 are highly localized.     

Azimine IV. Kinetik und Mechanismus der thermischen Stereoisomerisierung von 2,3-Diaryl-1-phthalimido-aziminen

Azimines IV. Kinetics and Mechanism of the Thermal Stereoisomerization of 2,3-Diaryl-1-phthalimido-azimines¹) Mixtures of (1E, 2Z)- and (1Z, 2E)-2-phenyl-1-phthalimido-3-p-tolyl-azimine ( 3a and 3b , resp.) and (1E, 2Z)- and (1Z, 2E)-3-phenyl-1-phthalimido-2-p-tolylazimine ( 4a and 4b , resp.) were obtained by the addition of oxidatively generated phthalimido-nitrene (6) to (E)- and (Z)-4-methyl-azobenzene ( 7a and 7b , resp.). Whereas complete separation of the 4 isomers 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b was not possible, partial separation by chromatography and crystallization led to 5 differently composed mixtures of azimine isomers. The spectroscopic properties of these mixtures (UV., ¹H-NMR.) were used to determine the ratios of isomers in the mixtures, and served as a tool for the assignment of constitution and configuration to those isomers which were dominant in each of these mixtures, respectively. Investigation of the isomerization of the azimines 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b within the 5 mixtures at various concentrations by ¹H-NMR.-spectroscopy at room temperature revealed that only stereoisomers are interconverted ( 3a ? 3b; 4a ? 4b) and that the (1E, 2Z) ? (1Z, 2E) stereoisomerization is a unimolecular reaction. These observations exclude an isomerization mechanism via an intermediate 1-phthalimido-triaziridine (2) or via dimerization of 1-phthalimido-azimines (1) , respectively. The 3-p-tolyl substituted stereoisomers 3a and 3b isomerized slightly slower than the 3-phenyl substituted ones 4a and 4b , an effect which is consistent with the assumption that the rate determining step of the interconversion of (1E, 2Z)- and (1Z, 2E)-1-phthalimido-azimines (1a ? 1b) is the stereoisomerization of the stereogenic center at N(2), N(3), either by inversion of N(3) or by rotation around the N(2), N(3) bond. The total isomerization process is assumed to occur via the thermodynamically less stable (1Z, 2Z)- and (1E, 2E)-isomers 1c and 1d , respectively, as intermediates in undetectably low concentrations which stay in rapidly established equilibria with the observed, thermodynamically more stable (1E, 2Z)- and (1Z, 2E)-isomers 1a and 1b , respectively. At higher temperatures, the azimines 3 and 4 are transformed into N-phenyl-N,N′-phthaloyl-N′-p-tolyl-hydrazine (8) with loss of nitrogen.     

Synthese von enantiomerenreinem Mimulaxanthin und seiner (9Z,9′Z)- und (15Z)-Isomeren

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Mimulaxanthin and of Its (9Z,9′Z)- and (15Z)Isomers We present the details of a synthesis of optically active, enantiomerically pure stereoisomers of mimulaxanthin (=(3s,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-6,7,6′,7′-tetradehydro-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-3,5,3′,5′-tetrol) either as free alcohols 1a and 24a or as their crystalline (t-Bu)Me₂Si ethers 1b and 24b . Grasshopper ketone 2a , a presumed synthon, unexpectedly showed a very sluggish reaction with Wittig-Horner reagents. Upon heating with the ylide of ester phosphonates, an addition across the allenic bond occurred. On the contrary, a slow but normal 1,2-addition took place with the ylide from (cyanomethyl)phosphonate but, unexpectedly, with concomitant inversion at the chiral axis. So a mixture of(6R,6S,9E,9Z)-isomers 6 – 9 was produced {(Scheme 1). However, a fast and very clean 1,2-addition occurred with the ethynyl ketone 12 to yield the esters 13 and 14 (Scheme 2). DIBAH reduction of the separated stereoisomers gave the allenic alcohols 15 and 16 in high yield. Mild oxidation to the aldehydes 17 and 18 followed by their condensation with the acetylenic C₁₀-bis-ylide 19 led to the stereoisomeric 15,15′-didehydromimulaxanthins 20 and 22 , respectively (Schemes 3 and 4). Mimulaxanthins 1 and 24 were prepared by partial hydrogenation of 20 and 22 followed by a thermal (Z/E)-isomerization. As expected, the mimulaxanthins exhibit very weak CD curves, obviously caused by the allenic bond that insulates the chiral centers in the end group from the chromophor. On the contrary, some of the C₁₅-allenic synthons showed not only fairly strong CD effects but also a split CD curve which, in our interpretation, results from an exciton coupling between the allene and the C(9)?C(10) bond. We postulate a rotation around the C(8)? C(9) bond, presumably caused by an intramolecular H-bond in 16 or by a dipol interaction between the polarized double bonds in 6 , 7 , 8 , and 17 .     

Isomerization of (all‐E)‐Cucurbitaxanthin A

Cucurbitaxanthin A (=(all‐E,3S,5R,6R,3′R)‐3,6‐epoxy‐5,6‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐5,3′‐diol; 1 ) was submitted to thermal isomerization and to I₂‐catalysed photoisomerization. The structure of the main reaction products (9Z)‐ ( 2 ), (9′Z)‐ ( 3 ), (13Z)‐ ( 4 ), and (13′Z)‐cucurbitaxanthin A ( 5 ) was determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectra.     

Absolute Konfiguration von Antheraxanthin, «cis-Antheraxantliirt» und der diastereomeren Mutatoxanthine

Absolute Configuration of Antheraxanthin, ‘cis-Aritheraxanthin’ and of the Stereoisomeric Mutatdxanthins The assignement of structure 2 to antheraxanthin (all-E)-(3 S, 5 R, 6 S, 3′ R)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol and of 1 to ‘cis-antheraxanthin’ (9Z)-(3 S, 5 R, 6 S, 3′ R)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol is based on chemical correlation with (3 R, 3′ R)-zeaxanthin and extensive ¹H-NMR. measurements at 400 MHz. ‘Semisynthetic antheraxanthin’ ( = ‘antheraxanthin B’) has structure 6 . For the first time the so-called ‘mutatoxanthin’, a known rearrangement product of either 1 or 2 , has been separated into pure and crystalline C(8)-epimers (epimer A of m.p. 213° and epimer B of m.p. 159°). Their structures were assigned by spectroscopical and chiroptical correlations with flavoxanthin and chrysanthemaxanthin. Epimer A is (3 S, 5 R, 8 S, 3′ R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol ( 4 ; = (8 S)mutatoxanthin) and epimer B is (3 S, 5 R, 8 R, 3′ R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol ( 3 ; = (8 R)-mutatoxanthin). The carotenoids 1 – 4 have a widespread occurrence in plants. We also describe their separation by HPLC. techniques. CD. spectra measured at room temperature and at ? 180° are presented for 1 – 4 and 6 . Antheraxanthin ( 2 ) and (9Z)-antheraxanthin ( 1 ) exhibit a typical conservative CD. The CD. Spectra also allow an easy differentiation of 6 from its epimer 2 . The isomeric (9Z)-antheraxanthin ( 1 ) shows the expected inversion of the CD. curve in the UV. range. The CD. spectra of the epimeric mutatoxanthins 3 and 4 (β end group) are dissimilar to those of flavoxanthin/chrysanthemaxanthin (ε end group). They allow an easy differentiation of the C (8)-epimers.     

trans/cis Isomerization of Astaxanthin Diacetate/Isolation by HPLC. and Identification by 1H-NMR. Spectroscopy of Three Mono-cis- and Six Di-cis-Isomers

Thermal and iodine-catalyzed photochemical trans/cis isomerization of synthetic, racemic astaxanthin diacetate (3,3′-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione diacetate) yielded multi-component mixtures of cis-isomers. Separation and isolation of 10 different cis-isomers in quantities between 10 and 70 μg was achieved by HPLC. Investigation of their 270-MHz-FT-¹H-NMR. spectra led to the identification of 9 of these isomers, namely the 9-, 13-, and 15-mono-cis-, the 9,9′-, 9,13-, 9,13′-, 9,15-, 13,13′-, and 13,15-di-cis-astaxanthin diacetate.