(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.     

Separation of (3R, 3′ R)-, (3R, 3′ S; meso)-, (3S, 3′ S)- Zeaxanthin, (3R, 3′ R, 6′ R)-, (3R, 3′ S, 6′ S)- and (3S, 3′ S, 6′ S)-Lutein via the dicarbamates of (S)-(+)-α-(1-naphthyl) ethyl isocyanate

A method is described for the qualitative and quantitative determination of configurational isomers of zeaxanthin (=3,3′ -dihydroxy-β, β -carotene) and lutein (=3,3′ -dihydroxy-α -cartotene). It is based on the reaction of these zeaxathin and lutein isomers with (S)-(+)-α-(1-naphthyl) ethyl isocyanate to afford diastereomeric dicarbamates, which are analyzed by HPLC.     

Separation of (3S, 3′S)-, (3R 3′R)- and (3S, 3′R)-astaxanthin via (−)-camphanic acid esters

A method is described for the qualitative and quantitative determination of configurational isomers of astaxanthin. It is based on the esterification of astaxanthin with (—)-camphanic acid chloride and analysis of the corresponding diesters by HPLC.     

Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol), ein neues Carotinoid aus Paprika (Capsicum annuum)

Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3.6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,5′-diol), a Novel Carotenoid from Red Paprika (Capsicum annuum) From red paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longum nigrum) cycloviolaxanthin was isolated as a minor carotenoid and, based on spectral data, assigned the symmetrical structure 8 .     

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 ).     

C45- and C50-Carotenoids Part7 Total synthesis of (all-E,2R,6R,2′R,6′R)- and (all-E,2R,6S,2′R,6′S)-2,2′-Bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl)-γ,γ-carotene (sarcinaxanthin)

The synthesis of sarcinaxanthin ((2R,6R,2′R,6′R)- 1 ), a symmetrical C₅₀-carotenoid with two γ-end groups, isolated from Sarcina lutea and from Cellulomonas biazotea as major pigment, was based on the strategy C₂₀ + C₁₀ + C₂₀ = C₅₀ using camphoric acid as starting material for the C₂₀-end group 3. The key step of the synthesis is a ring enlargement of the cyclopentane derivative 10 with 2,4,4,6-tetrabromocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one (TBCO) to give the cyclohexane derivative 11 (Scheme 1). The spectroscopic data of the synthetic compound are in full agreement with the data of the isolated product and give the final proof for the (2R,6R,2′R,6′R) chirality of natural sarcinaxanthin.     

Carotinoide mit 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-Endgruppen. Teil I. Versuch einer Synthese von Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol)

Carotenoids with 7-Oxabicyclo[2,2.1]heptyl End Groups. Attempted Synthesis of Cycloviolaxanthin ( = (3S,5R,6S,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′- Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol) Starting from our recently described synthon (+)- 24 , the enantiomerically pure 3,6:4,5:3′,6′:4′,5′-tetraepoxy-4,5,4′,5′-tetrahydro-ε,ε-carotene ( 34 ) and its 15,15′-didehydro analogue 32 were synthesized in eleven and nine steps, respectively (Scheme 4). Chiroptical data show, in contrast to the parent ε,ε-carotene, a very weak interaction between the chiral centers at C(5), C(5′), C(6), C(6′), and the polyene system. Diisobutylaluminium hydride reduction of 32 lead rather than to the expected 15,15′-didehydro analogue 35 of Cycloviolaxanthin ( 8 ), to the polyenyne 36 (Scheme 5). We explain this reaction by an oxirane rearrangement leading to a cyclopropyl ether followed by a fragmentation to an aldehyd on the one side and an enol ether on the other (Scheme 6). This complex rearrangement includes a shift of the whole polyenyne chain from C(6), C(6′) to C(5), C(5′) of the original molecule.     

Isolation and Characterisation of (5R, 6S,5′R,8′R)- and (5R,6S,5′R,8′S)-Luteochrome from Brazilian Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas LAM.)

Luteochrome isolated from the tubers of a white-fleshed variety of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas LAM .) has been shown by HPLC, ¹H-NMR and CD spectra to consist of a mixture of (5R,6S,5′R,8′R)- and (5R,6S,5′R,8′S)- 5,6:5′,8′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene ( 1 and 2 , resp.). Therefore, its precursor is (5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-5,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene ( 4 ). This is the first identification of luteochrome as a naturally occurring carotenoid and, at the same time, gives the first clue to the as yet unknown chirality of the widespread β,β-carotene diepoxide. These facts demonstrate that the enzymic epoxidation of the β-end group occurs from the α-side, irrespective of the presence of OH groups on the ring.     

Temperaturabhängiger Circulardichroismus von (3S, 3′R)- und (3S, 3′ S)-Adonixanthin

The temperature dependent CD. spectra of (3S, 3′R)- and (3S, 3′S)-adonixanthin are compared with those of (3R, 3′R)-zeaxanthin ( 1 ) and (3S, 3′S)-astaxanthin ( 2 ). The room temperature spectra of 1 and 2 are quite similar. On cooling to ?180° the CD. of 1 simply intensifies, the CD. of 2 changes sign and becomes also very intense. The room-temperature CD. of (3S, 3′R)-adonixanthin ( 3 ) resembles closely those of 1 and 2 at room temperature. On cooling, however, it becomes weak and changes strongly its shape. With (3S, 3′S)-adonixanthin ( 4 ) it is the low-temperature spectrum which resembles that of 2 at low temperature, whereas the room-temperature spectrum is weak and quite different in shape. These observations can be explained with temperature dependent equilibria where the end groups are twisted out of the plain of the chain thereby conferring chirality to the conjugated system.     

Synthese der (3S,4R,3′S,4′R)- und (3S,4S,3′S,4′S)Crustaxanthine sowie weiterer Verbindungen mit 3,4-Dihydroxy-β-Endgruppen

Synthesis of (3S,4R,3′S,4′R)- and (3S,4S,3′S,4′S)-Crustaxanthins and Further Compounds with 3,4-Dihydroxy β-End-groups Starting from 3 , the enantiomerically pure title compounds were synthesized in eight steps. Spectra and HPLC systems are presented that allow a distinction between these isomers.     

Eine Suche nach 3′-Epilutein ( = (3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-Carotin-3,3′-diol) und 3′, O-Didehydrolutein (=(3R, 6′R)-3-Hydroxy-β,ε-carotin-3′-on) in Eigelb,in Blüten von Caltha palustris und in Herbstblättern

Search for the Presence in Egg Yolk, in Flowers of Caltha palustris and in Autumn Leaves of 3′-Epilutein ( =(3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-Carotene-3,3′-diol) and 3′,O-Didehydrolutein ( =(3R,6′R)-3-Hydroxy-β,ε-carotene-3′-one) 3′.O-Didehydrolutein ( =(3R, 6′R)-3-hydroxy-β,ε-carotene-3′-one; 2) has been detected in egg yolk and in flowers of Caltha palustris. This is the first record for its occurrence in a plant. The compound shows a remarkable lability towards base; therefore, it may have been overlooked til now, because it is destroyed under the usual conditions of saponification of the carotenoid-esters. One of the many products formed from 2 with 1% KOH in methanol has been purified and identified as the diketone 3 ( =(3R)-3-hydroxy-4′, 12′-retro-β,β-carotene-3′,12′-dione). The identification of this transformation product from lutein might throw a new light on the metabolism of this important carotenoid in green plants. 3′-Epilutein ( =(3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-carotene-3,3′-diol; 1) was not detected in egg yolk, but is present besides lutein in flowers of C. palustris, thus confirming an earlier report of the occurrence of an isomeric (possibly epimeric) lutein (‘calthaxanthin’) in that plant [21]. We were not able to detect even traces of 1 or 2 in the carotenoid fraction from autumn leaves of Prunus avium (cherry), Parrotia persica, Acer montanum (maple) and yellow needles of Larix europaea (larch). α-Cryptoxanthin (4) , a very rare carotenoid, was isolated in considerable quantity for the first time from flowers of C. palustris.     

Carotinoide mit 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-Endgruppen. Teil II. Synthese von (2S,5R,6S,2′S,5′R,6′S)-2,5:2′5′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin

Carotenoids mit 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-End Groups. Synthesis of (2S,5R,6S,2′S,5′R,6′S)-2,5:2′5′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene Mukayama's ester 6 (methyl (1S,2R,5S)-2,5-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate) was transformed in a few conventional steps into the title compound 14 . Its CD curve was found to be significantly different from that of the analogous 3,6-epoxide, a fact we tentatively lake as an indication of a (weak) electronic interaction between the ring O-atom and the π-orbitals of the polyene chain.     

Dichloro­[(6R,7S,8S,14S)‐(–)‐sparteine‐κ2N,N′]mercury(II)

In the title compound, [HgCl₂(C₁₅H₂₆N₂)], the chiral alkaloid (6R,7S,8S,14S)‐(−)‐l ‐sparteine acts as a bident­ate ligand, with two Cl⁻ ligands occupying the remaining coordination sites, producing a distorted tetra­hedron. The N—Hg—N plane is twisted by 81.1 (2)° from the Cl—Hg—Cl plane. The mid‐point of the N⋯N line does not lie exactly on the Cl—Hg—Cl plane but is tilted towards one of the N atoms by 0.346 Å. Similarly, the mid‐point of the Cl⋯Cl line is tilted toward one of the Cl atoms by 0.163 Å. The packing structure shows that the complex is stabilized by two inter­atomic Cl⋯H contacts involving both Cl atoms and the methyl­ene or methine H atoms of the (−)‐sparteine ligand.     

A synchrotron study of (2R,5′S)‐5′‐benzyl‐5‐bromo‐6‐methoxyspiro[indane‐2,2′‐piperazine]‐3′,6′‐dione dimethylformamide solvate

Synchrotron radiation was used to study the structure of the title compound, C₂₀H₁₉BrN₂O₃·C₃H₇NO, which was obtained as fine fragile needle‐shaped crystals by recrystallization from dimethylformamide (DMF), one molecule of which is incorporated per asymmetric unit into the crystal. The compound adopts a compact closed conformation with the orientation of the benzyl group such that the aryl ring is positioned over the piperazinedione ring, resulting in a C_spiro...C_trans—C—C_Ph pseudo‐torsion angle of −3.3 (3)°. The five‐membered ring is present in an expected envelope conformation and the six‐membered piperazinedione ring adopts a less puckered boat‐like conformation. Reciprocal amide‐to‐amide hydrogen bonding between adjacent piperazinedione rings and C—H...O interactions involving DMF molecules propagate in the crystal as a thick ribbon in the a‐axis direction.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of （ － ）－（2R ,3R, 6S ）－Irnigaine

Asymmetric synthesis of irnigaine was achieved starting from an enantiopure β-amino ester 5 using the condensation of amino al-cohol 2 with acetylacetone and the subsequent intramolecular cycllzation as the key steps.     

syn‐Tri‐μ‐chlorido‐bis{[(R,R)/(S,S)‐2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐biphenyl]hydridoiridium(III)} tetrafluoridoborate dichloromethane disolvate

In the structure of the title compound, [Ir₂Cl₃H₂(C₃₆H₂₈P₂)₂]BF₄·2CH₂Cl₂, the bimetallic cation features a confacial bioctahedral structure that is held together by three bridging chloride ions and is very close to C₂ symmetric. The hydrides are in a syn orientation (trans to the same halide bridge), and the chelating bis(phosphine) atropisomers display a racemic (R,R)/(S,S) configuration. Because of the high trans‐bond‐weakening influence of the hydride ligands, the Ir—Cl bonds trans to Ir—H [2.5262 (7) and 2.5365 (7) Å] are significantly longer than those opposite the Ir—P linkages [2.4287 (7)–2.4672 (8) Å]. The Ir—P distances vary between 2.2464 (9) and 2.2565 (8) Å. This study illustrates the usefulness of sterically demanding biaryl‐based P₂ ligands in the synthesis of halide‐bridged Ir₂ complexes, which are valuable precursors of versatile catalysts for homogeneous C=O hydrogenation.     

(3R*,3′R*)‐1,1′‐Dimethyl‐3,3′‐biindoline‐2,2′‐dithione

The (3R*,3′R*) configuration of the title compound, C₁₈H₁₆N₂S₂, (I), has been unambiguously elucidated by X‐­ray analysis. Mol­ecules of (I) have C₂ symmetry to a good approximation and a strongly folded shape. The interplanar angle between the two halves of a mol­ecule is 67.11 (6)°.     

Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Oxylipins: (6S,7E,9R,10S)‐6,9,10‐Trihydroxyoctadec‐7‐enoic Acid and (6Z,8R,9R,10S)‐8,9,10‐Trihydroxyoctadec‐6‐enoic Acid

The stereoselective total syntheses of oxylipins 1b and 1c are described starting from readily accessible natural sugars via the Grubbs cross‐metathesis, Wittig olefination, and Zn‐mediated reductive elimination as key steps.     

[N,N′‐Bis(3‐aminopropyl)ethylenediamine‐κ4N,N′,N′′,N′′′](trithiocyanurato‐κ2N,S)zinc(II) ethanol solvate

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [N,N′‐bis(3‐­amino­propyl)­ethyl­enedi­amine‐κ⁴N,N′,N′′,N′′′][1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)‐tri­thionato(2−)‐κ²N,S]­zinc(II) ethanol sol­vate, [Zn(C₈H₂₂N₄)₂(C₃HN₃S₃)]·C₂H₆O, the Zn^II atom is octa­hedrally coordinated by four N atoms [Zn—N = 2.104 (2)–2.203 (2) Å] of a tetradentate N‐donor N,N′‐bis(3‐­amino­propyl)­ethyl­enedi­amine (bapen) ligand and by two S and N atoms [Zn—S = 2.5700 (7) Å and Zn—N = 2.313 (2) Å] of a tri­thio­cyanurate(2−) (ttcH²⁻) dianion bonded as a bidentate ligand in a cis configuration. The crystal structure of the compound is stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds.     

Technische Verfahren zur Synthese von Carotinoiden und verwandten Verbindungen aus 6-Oxo-isophoron. IV. Neues Konzept für die Synthese von (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3S, 3′S)- und (3R, 3′R)-9,9′-dicis-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin

Technical Procedures for the Synthesis of Carotenoids and Related Compounds from 6-Oxo-isophorone. IV. A Novel Concept for the Synthesis of (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3S, 3′S)- and (3R, 3′R)-9,9′-dicis-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin Starting from readily available intermediates of the synthesis of astaxanthin, (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3R, 3′R)- and (3S, 3′S)-9,9′-di-cis-tetradehydroastaxanthin ( 1, 1a and 1b , resp.) were synthesized, 1 and 1b for the first time. Key features of this concept are: a) use of the unprotected, acetylenic phosphonium salts 8–12 , b) a two-step synthesis with 47% overall yield, and c) good chemical and optical purity of the end products.