Two Novel 14‐Nor‐13,14‐secopodocarpanes from the Bark of Taiwania cryptomeriodes

The two novel compounds cryptomelactones A ( 3 ) and B ( 4 ) were isolated from the bark of Taiwania cryptomeriodes, besides the two known podocarpane derivatives 1β,13,14‐trihydroxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐7‐one ( 1 ) and 3β,13,14‐trihydroxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐7‐one ( 2 ), and were characterized by spectroscopic means including 2D‐NMR techniques. Compounds 3 and 4 are novel‐14‐nor‐13,14‐seco‐podocarpanes. The absolute configurations of 3 and 4 were determined by the modified Mosher method. The biotransformation mechanism of 3 and 4 is proposed.     

Four New Podocarpane‐Type Trinorditerpenes from Aleurites moluccana

Four new podocarpane‐type trinorditerpenenes, (5β,10α)‐12,13‐dihydroxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 1 ), (5β,10α)‐12‐hydroxy‐13‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 2 ), (5β,10α)‐13‐hydroxy‐12‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 3 ), and (3α,5β,10α)‐13‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐triene‐3,12‐diol ( 4 ), together with four known diterpenes, 12‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 5 ), spruceanol ( 6 ), ent‐3α‐hydroxypimara‐8(14),15‐dien‐12‐one ( 7 ), and ent‐3β,14α‐hydroxypimara‐7,9(11),15‐triene‐12‐one ( 8 ), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Aleurites moluccana. Their structures were elucidated by means of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including NMR and MS. Except 8 , all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity; compound 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against Raji cells with an IC₅₀ value of 4.24 μg/ml.     

Two New Acidic Diterpenoids from the Heartwood of Pinus massoniana Lamb.

A new abietane diterpene, named abietopinoic acid, and a new podocarpane diterpene, named podopinoic acid, were isolated from the acetone extract of the heartwood of Pinus massoniana. Their structures were established as 12‐hydroxy‐7‐oxoabieta‐8,11,13‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 1 ) and 13‐hydroxy‐7‐oxopodocarpane ( 2 ) by means of spectroscopic analyses including 2D‐NMR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report of a podocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐18‐oic acid diterpene, isolated from the genus Pinus.     

Chemical Constituents of the Flowers of Azadirachta indica

Studies on the chemical constituents of the flowers of Azadirachta indica have led to the isolation of two new flavanones, flowerine (=5‐hydroxy‐7,4′‐dimethoxy‐8‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)flavan‐4‐one; 1 ) and flowerone (=5,7,8,4′‐tetrahydroxy‐3′‐(3‐methylbut‐3‐enyl)flavan‐4‐one; 2 ), and two new triterpenoids, O‐methylazadironolide (=7α‐(acetoxy)‐23ξ‐methoxy‐21,23‐epoxy‐24,25,26,27‐tetranorapotirucalla‐1,14,20(22)‐trien‐3,21‐dione; 3 ) and diepoxyazadirol (=(20S,23S,24R)‐7‐α‐(acetoxy)‐25‐hydroxy‐21,24 : 23,24‐diepoxyapotirucalla‐1,14‐dien‐3‐one; 4 ) along with the known triterpenoid trichilenone acetate (=7α‐(acetoxy)‐14,15 : 21,23‐diepoxy‐24,25,26,27‐tetranorapotirucalla‐1,20,22‐trien‐3‐one; 5 ), two known flavanones, nimbaflavone (=5,7‐dihydroxy‐4′‐methoxy‐8,3′‐bis(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)‐flavan‐4‐one; 6 ) and 3′‐prenylnaringenin (=5,7,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl) flavan‐4‐one; 7 ), and 4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)phenol ( 8 ). Their structures have been elucidated through spectral studies, including 2D‐NMR experiments, and chemical transformation. Compounds 5, 7 and 8 are heretofore unreported from any part of tree, while 6 has been isolated earlier from leaves.     

A New Cembranoid Diterpene and Other Related Metabolites from the South‐China‐Sea Soft Coral Lobophytum crassum

A new hydroperoxy‐substituted cembranoid diterpene, 2‐hydroperoxysarcophine (= (1aR*,4E,11E,14aR*)‐2,3,6,7,10a,13,14,14a‐octahydro‐10a‐hydroperoxy‐1a,5,8,12‐tetramethyloxireno[9,10]cyclotetradeca[1,2‐b]furan‐9(1aH)‐one; 1 ), was isolated from the marine soft coral Lobophytum crassum. Also isolated were two other cembranoid diterpenes, obtained for the first time from a natural source, i.e., 7β,8β‐epoxy‐4α‐hydroxycembra‐1(15),2,11‐trien‐16,2‐olide ( 2 ) and 7β,8β‐epoxy‐4β‐hydroxycembra‐1(15),2,11‐trien‐16,2‐olide ( 3 ), along with three further cembranoid derivatives, five sterols, and two open‐chain metabolites. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS experiments.     

Diterpenoids from the Wood of Cunninghamia konishii

Investigation of the wood of Cunninghamia konishii resulted in the isolation and characterization of one new abietane diterpenoid, (6α,7β)‐7,8‐epoxy‐6‐hydroxyabieta‐9(11),13‐dien‐12‐one ( 1 ), and two new labdane diterpenoids, (12R)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(17),13(16),14‐trien‐19‐oic acid ( 2 ) and (12R)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(17),13(16),14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ). The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data.     

Three New Terpenoids from Pinus yunnanensis

A new abietatrienoid, 15‐methoxydidehydroabietic acid ( 1 ), a new ring B‐seco abietatrienoid, 10‐hydroxy‐9,10‐secoabieta‐8,11,13‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 2 ), and a new tetracyclic triterpenoid, pinusyunnanol ( 3 ), together with five known compounds, were obtained from the twigs and needles of Pinus yunnanensis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic analyses.     

Three New Highly Oxygenated Diterpenoids from Excoecaria cochinchinensis Lour.

Chemical examination of the AcOEt extract of the leaves and twigs of Excoecaria cochinchinensis Lour . collected from Xishuangbanna resulted in the isolation of the three new highly oxygenated diterpenoids 1 – 3 . The structures of the new diterpenoids were elucidated by a study of their physical and spectra data as (2β,3β,5α,6α)‐2,3‐bis(acetyloxy)‐8,13‐epoxy‐6,9‐dihydroxylabd‐14‐en‐11‐one (=excolabdone A; 1 ), (1α,5α,6β,7β)‐1,6‐bis(acetyloxy)‐8,13‐epoxy‐7,9‐dihydroxylabd‐14‐en‐11‐one (=excolabdone B; 2 ), and (1α,5α,6β,7β)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐8,13‐epoxy‐1,7,9‐trihydroxylabd‐14‐en‐11‐one (=excolabdone C; 3 ).     

New Sesquiterpenes from Ligulariopsis Shichuana

A thorough investigation of Ligulariopsis shichuana afforded five new sesquiterpenes, including 1β,10β‐epoxy‐3α‐angeloyloxy‐9β‐acetoxy‐8α,11β‐dihydroxybakkenolide ( 1 ), 1β,7‐dihydroxy‐3β‐acetoxy‐noreremophil‐6(7),9(10)‐dien‐8‐one ( 2 ), 8α‐hydroxy‐3‐oxoeremophil‐1(2),7(11),9(10)‐trien‐8β(12)‐olide ( 3 ), 1β,10β‐dihydroxy‐3β‐acetoxyeremophil‐7(11),8(9)‐dien‐8(12)‐olide ( 4 ) and 1β,10β‐epoxy‐8,12‐dihydroxy‐3β‐acetoxy‐9β‐angeloyloxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐8,12‐disemiketal ( 5 ). Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods and 2D NMR techniques. In addition, bakkenolide ( 1 ) and eremophilenolides ( 5 ) showed antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.     

Sterols from the Stems of Momordica charantia

A new sterol, 5α,6α‐epoxy‐3β‐hydroxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐dien‐7‐one ( 1 ), together with eight known sterols, 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7α‐diol ( 2 ), 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7β‐diol ( 3 ), 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8(14),22‐diene‐3β,7α‐diol ( 4 ), 3β‐hydroxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐5,8,22‐trien‐7‐one ( 5 ), ergosterol peroxide ( 6 ), clerosterol ( 7 ), decortinol ( 8 ), and decortinone ( 9 ), were isolated from the stems of Momordica charantia. Their structures were elucidated by mean of extensive spectroscopic methods, including ¹H, ¹³C, 2D‐NMR and HR‐EI‐MS, as well as comparison with the literature data. Compounds 1 , 4 , 5 , 8 , and 91 were not cytotoxic against the SK‐Hep 1 cell line.     

A New Tetracyclic Diterpene from Jatropha curcas

Jatrophodione A ( 1 ), a new diterpene with four rings, together with nine known compounds, caniojane ( 2 ), jatropholone A ( 3 ), jatropholone B ( 4 ), jatrogrossidione ( 5 ), 2‐epijatrogrossidione ( 6 ), heudelotinone ( 7 ), gossweilone ( 8 ), (3α)‐3‐hydroxy‐ent‐pimara‐8(14),15‐dien‐12‐one ( 9 ), and 12‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 10 ), was isolated from the aerial parts of Jatropha curcas. Compounds 5, 6, 9 , and 10 were found for the first time in this plant. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. Cytotoxicities of compounds 1, 2, 7, 8 , and 9 were tested on the three cancer cell lines A549, Hela, and SMMC‐7721. Results showed that 7 exhibited cytotoxicity against SMMC‐7721 with an IC₅₀ value of 21.68 μM , whereas 7 and 8 were active against A549 with the IC₅₀ values of 16.04 and 20.47 μM , and against Hela with the IC₅₀ values of 10.67 and 22.83 μM , respectively.     

Three New Abietane‐type Diterpenes from the Bark of Cryptomeria japonica

Three new abietane‐type diterpenoids, 7β‐acetoxy‐12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐6α,11‐diol ( 1 ), 7α‐acetoxy‐12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐6α,11‐diol ( 2 ), and 6α‐acetoxy‐12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐7α,11‐diol ( 3 ), as well as two known abietane‐type diterpenoids, 12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐6α,7β,11‐triol ( 4 ) and 6α‐acetoxy‐12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐7β,11‐diol ( 5 ), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of NMR data with those of related metabolites.     

Three Terpenoids and a Tocopherol‐Related Compound from Ricinus communis

Four new compounds named (3E,7Z,11E)‐19‐hydroxycasba‐3,7,11‐trien‐5‐one ( 1 ), 6α‐hydroxy‐10β‐methoxy‐7α,8α‐epoxy‐5‐oxocasbane‐20,10‐olide ( 2 ), 15α‐hydroxylup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐one ( 3 ), and (2R,4aR, 8aR)‐3,4,4a,8a‐tetrahydro‐4a‐hydroxy‐2,6,7,8a‐tetramethyl‐2‐(4,8,12‐trimethyltridecyl)‐2H‐chromene‐5,8‐dione ( 4 ) were isolated from the MeOH extracts of the aerial parts of Ricinus communis L. by chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic experiments.     

Formic Acid Catalyzed Rearrangement of Thevinols (=4,5‐Epoxy‐3,6‐dimethoxy‐α,17‐dimethyl‐6,14‐ethenomorphinan‐7‐methanols) and Their Vinylogous Analogues: Effects of 5β‐Methyl Substitution

In a limited number of cases, 14‐alkenylcodeinones (=14‐alkenyl‐7,8‐didehydro‐4,5‐epoxy‐3‐methoxy‐17‐methylmorphinan‐6‐ones) can be obtained by formic acid treatment of thevinols (=4,5‐epoxy‐3,6‐dimethoxy‐α,17‐dimethyl‐6,14‐ethenomorphinan‐7‐methanols), but under these conditions the equivalent 14‐alkenyl‐7,8‐dihydrocodeinones undergo further rearrangement (Scheme 1 and Table). Introduction of a 5β‐methyl group allows the 18,19‐dihydrothevinol precursors to be rearranged to 14‐alkenyl‐7,8‐dihydrocodeinones, but similar manipulation of the vinylogues of these thevinols is generally unable to prevent full rearrangement to 5,14‐bridged thebainone derivatives.     

Thrombin Inhibitory Constituents from Duranta repens

The C‐alkylated flavonoids 3,7,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyl)‐5,6‐dimethoxyflavone ( 1 ), 3,7‐dihydroxy‐3′‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyl)‐5,6,4′‐trimethoxyflavone ( 2 ) and the trans‐clerodane diterpenoids 6β‐hydroxy‐15,16‐epoxy‐5β,8β,9β,10α‐cleroda‐3,13(16),14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ) and 2β‐hydroxy‐15,16‐epoxy‐5β,8β,9β,10α‐cleroda‐3,13(16),14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 4 ) were isolated from Duranta repens. Their structures and the relative configuration of 3 and 4 were determined by spectroscopic methods (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, IR, and MS) and 2D‐NMR experiments. The known flavonoid 5 is also reported for the first time from this species. The compounds 1 , 3 , and 5 showed significant enzyme‐inhibitory activity against thrombin.     

Synthesis of 3‐Aminotropones from N‐Boc‐Protected Furan‐2‐amine (=tert‐Butyl Furan‐2‐ylcarbamate; Boc=(tert‐Butoxy)carbonyl) by Cycloaddition Reactions and Subsequent Rearrangement

The 3‐aminotropones (=3‐aminocyclohepta‐2,4,6‐trien‐1‐ones) 4 were prepared in two steps by i) a [4+3] cycloaddition reaction between a conveniently substituted α,α′‐dihalo ketone 1 and a furan‐2‐amine derivative 2 functionalized at C(2) by a protected amino group (→ 3 ), and ii) a base‐induced molecular rearrangement of the cycloadduct 3 via cleavage of the O‐bridge. A mechanism for the formation of 3‐aminotropones is proposed on the basis of the initial deprotonation of the [(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]amino (BocNH) group of 3 , followed by O‐bridge opening, an acid–base equilibrium, and finally an alkoxyaluminate elimination to afford the conjugated stable troponoid system (Scheme 7).     

Two New Diterpenoids from Callicarpa pedunculata

Two new diterpenoids, pedunculatic acid A (= (4R,5α,7α)‐7‐ethoxy‐9β,13β‐dioxyabiet‐8(14)‐en‐18‐oic acid; 1 ) and pedunculatic acid B (= (4S,5α,12β)‐8β,14β‐epoxy‐12‐hydroxy‐11‐oxototaran‐19‐oic acid; 2 ), together with three known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Callicarpa pedunculata R. Brown . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and by high‐resolution mass spectrometry.     

New reactions of carbon suboxide with alkynes

Synthesis of 3,4,7,8‐tetraalkyl‐2‐oxa‐bicyclo[4.2.0]octa‐1(6),3,7‐trien‐5‐ones( 4a‐d ),4,5,7,8‐tetraalkyl‐2‐oxa‐bicyclo[4.2.0]octa‐1(6),4,7‐trien‐3‐ones ( 6a‐d ) and 3,4,7,8‐tetraalkyl‐2H,5H‐cyclobuta[b]pyrano‐[2,3‐d]pyran‐2,5‐diones ( 7a‐d ) from the reaction of alkynes ( la‐d ) with carbon suboxide ( 2 ) in various molar ratios is described.     

Withanolides from Withania adpressa

From the leaves of Withania adpressa, a plant endemic to Sahara of Morocco and Algeria, the novel steroidal lactone (22R)‐14α,15α,17β,20β‐tetrahydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,5,24‐trien‐26,22‐olide (= (15S,17S)‐14,15,17,20‐tetrahydroxy‐22,26‐epoxyergosta‐2,5,24‐triene‐1,26‐dione; 1 ), was isolated, along with three known compounds, withanolides F ( 2 ), J ( 3 ), and oleanolic acid. Their structures were mainly solved by in‐depth 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (including ADEQUATE) experiments, as well as by HR‐MS analyses and chemical evidence.     

Three New 24‐Nortriterpenoids from the Roots of Ilex asprella

Asprellols A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), three new 24‐nortriterpenoids, were isolated from the CHCl₃‐soluble fraction of 95% EtOH extract of the roots of Ilex asprella, together with a known nortriterpenoid. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 2,6β,20β‐trihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐norursa‐1,4‐dien‐28,13β‐olide ( 1 ), 2,6β‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐norursa‐1,4,20(30)‐trien‐28,13β‐olide ( 2 ), and 2,6β‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐noroleana‐1,4‐dien‐28,13β‐olide ( 3 ) on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.