Ozonides with the tetrahydroquinoline and dehydroabietic fragments

Acid-catalyzed three-component condensation of methyl 12-aminodehydroabietate, aromatic aldehydes, and cyclopentadiene gave methyl (4R)-4-aryl-6-isopropyl-10,13a-dimethyl-3a,4,5,8,9,9a,10,11,12,13,13a,13d-dodecahydro-3H-cyclopenta[c]naphtho[1,2-f]quinoline-10-carboxylates and their (4S)-diastereomers. Ozonolysis of the double bond in their N-trifluoroacetyl derivatives synthesized from the (4R)-diastereomers afforded the corresponding ozonides with the (1S,4R,5aS,6R,11aR,12R,15aS,15dR)-configuration.     

Synthesis of the ABC-ring models of goniodomin A: preference for the unnatural configuration at C11 of the BC-ring in a non-macrocyclic model system

To confirm the natural relative stereochemistry of the ABC-ring of goniodomin A (1), the corresponding three stereoisomeric compounds, (2R,5S,6S,7S,9S,11R,15S)-, (2R,5S,6S,7R,9R,11S,15R)-, and (2R,5S,6S,7R,9R,11R,15S)-isomers (2, 3, and 5, respectively), were stereoselectively synthesized using a Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction as a key step. It was also found that a (2R,5S,6S,7R,9R,11S,15S)-isomer (4), corresponding to the absolute configuration of 1 recently proposed by Sasaki, was not detected during the formation of 5 from a common ketodiol substrate under acid-catalyzed spiroacetalization conditions. This would be attributable to the absence of a macrocyclic framework.     

Malyngic acid,a new fatty acid from Lyngbya majuscula

Malyngic acid, a major fatty acid in several varieties of the marine blue-green alga Lyngbya majuscula, has been determined to be 9(S),12(R),13(S)-trihydroxyoctadeca-10(E),15(Z)-dienoic acid from chemical and spectral data and by its conversion to 9(S),12(R),13(S)-trihydroxystearic acid and degradation to 2-deoxy-D-ribitol.     

Absolute structure, biosynthesis, and anti-microtubule activity of phomopsidin, isolated from a marine-derived fungus Phomopsis sp.

The absolute configuration of phomopsidin, a marine-derived fungal metabolite from Phomopsis sp. isolated at Pohnpei, was determined by the exciton chirality method as 6S, 7S, 8S, 11S, 12R, and 15R. The biosynthetic study using ¹³C-labeled precursors revealed the origin of all carbon atoms in phomopsidin, which was built by nine acetates and three methyl groups from l-methionine. Inhibitory activities of phomopsidin and its Me ester derivative against microtubule assembly were examined together with the structurally related compounds MK8383, solanapyrones, and tanzawaic acids. Phomopsidin and its (16Z)-isomer (MK8383) showed anti-microtubule activity at IC₅₀ of 5.7 and 8.0 μM, respectively, while the Me ester and other compounds were not active at 100 μM.     

First chiral synthesis of the N-terminal amino acid congener of nikkomycin Z based on lipase-catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of a primary alcohol possessing two stereogenic centers

A stereoselective synthesis of a versatile chiral synthon possessing two stereogenic centers, (2S,3S)-3-[2-(5-benzyloxypyridyl)]-2-methyl-1,3-propane diol 12 (>99% ee), was achieved by using a chemo-enzymatic method. The conversion of (2S,3S)-12 to the homochiral intermediate (2S,3S,4S)-2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-4-[2-(5-benzyloxypyridyl)]-4-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-3-methylbutanoic acid 2 corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid congener of nikkomycin Z 1 is described.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 3-amino-4,5-dihydroxyaldehydes—a novel preparation of N-acetyl-l-daunosamine

A general route for the stereoselective synthesis of 3-amino-4,5-dihydroxyaldehydes, with almost any desired configuration at the three stereogenic centers, is described by applying a combination of enzymatic and chemical steps. l-Daunosamine 1, for example, the glycosidic fragment of many important anthracycline antibiotics has been prepared by this route starting from O-allyl-l-lactaldehyde (S)-6a. (R)-Hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) catalyzed addition of HCN to (S)-6a yields the 2,3-dihydroxynitrile (2S,3S)-7a with high stereoselectivity (91% de) in 75% yield. The addition of allyl Grignard to the O-protected 2,3-dihydroxynitrile (2S,3S)-9a and subsequent hydrogenation of the imino intermediate leads to 4-amino-2,3-dihydroxy-1-heptene (4S,5S,6S)-12a, which after ozonization and deprotection gives N-acetylated l-daunosamine 14a in a total yield of 15% referring to (S)-6a. The general applicability of this chemoenzymatic multistep procedure is demonstrated in the stereoselective synthesis of the unnatural aminodeoxy sugar (2S,3S,4S)-14b, starting from isovaleraldehyde 3.     

Absolute configuration of (-)-biflora-4,10(19),15-triene,a diterpene from a termite soldier,as determined by the synthesis of its (1R, 6S, 7S, 11R)-(+)-isomer

(1R, 6S, 7S, 11R)-(+)-Biflora-4, 10(19),15-triene was synthesized starting from (r)-(+)-citronellic acid. This enabled us to assign (1S), 6R, 7R, (11S)-stereochemistry to the naturally occurring (-)-enantiomer isolated from soldiers of the termite species Cubitermes umbratus.     

Synthesis of oligomers including eight P-chiral centers and the construction of the 12-phosphacrown-4 skeleton

The stepwise oxidative coupling reaction from (S,S)-1 gave optically active oligomers, (S,R,R,S)-2 and (S,R,S,R,R,S,R,S)-3, having four and eight chiral phosphorus atoms, respectively. The behaviors of these oligomers in the solid state and in solution were investigated in detail. The first construction of a 12-phosphacrown-4 skeleton was also reported.     

Synthesis and absolute configuration of (1S,8S)-as-hydrindacene-1,8-diol as determined by the circular dichroism exciton chirality method

2,3,6,7-Tetrahydro-as-indacene-1,8-dione 4 was prepared in 4 steps starting from 2-methyl-furan by modification of a literature procedure. Appliance of Noyori’s asymmetric transfer hydrogenation, resulted in (1S,8S)-1,2,3,6,7,8-hexahydro-as-indacene-1,8-diol 5 in high yield (81%) and excellent enantioselectivity (>99% ee) or (8S)-8-hydroxy-3,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-as-indacen-1-one 6 in moderate yield (58%) and equally high enantioselectivity (98.5% ee), depending on the conditions. The asymmetric reduction was expected to yield the (S)-alcohols using the (S,S)-Ts-DPEN ligand, which was confirmed by the appliance of the exciton chirality method on the corresponding bis(p-dimethylamino)benzoate 7.     

Synthesis of the C6–C18 bis-tetrahydrofuran fragment of the proposed structure of iriomoteolide-2a via stepwise double SN2 cyclization reactions

The C6–C18 bis-tetrahydrofuran (bis-THF) fragment of the proposed structure of iriomoteolide-2a has been synthesized via stepwise double intramolecular S_N2-type etherifications. The C11 and C16 stereogenic centers could be secured in the forms of propargyl alcohols by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of the corresponding propargyl ketones. The C9–C12 THF ring was first constructed via a tandem asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD)–S_N2 sequence while the C13–C16 THF ring was later installed via an intramolecular S_N2 reaction of a chiral propargyl mesylate. During the latter THF ring formation, epimerization at the propargylic carbon was not observed. Since the initially proposed (9R,11S,12R) configuration of iriomoteolide-2a has recently been revised to (9S,11R,12S), the established synthesis of the C6–C18 bis-THF fragment could be easily amended by using the opposite enantiomers of the chiral ligands for AD and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation.     

Identification of Non-Volatile Compounds That Impact Flavor Disliking of Whole Wheat Bread Made with Aged Flours

Whole wheat flour has a shorter shelf life than refined wheat flour due to off-flavor development. An untargeted liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) flavoromics approach was applied to identify compounds that negatively impact the flavor liking in whole wheat bread made from aged flours. The chemical profiles of thirteen breads made from aged flours were obtained using LC/MS and modeled by orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) to predict flavor liking. Top predictive chemical features (negatively correlated) were identified as pinellic acid (9S,12S,13S-trihydroxy-10E-octadecenoic acid), 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid, and 1-(9Z,12Z-octadecadienoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The sensory analysis confirmed the three compounds increased the bitterness intensity of the bread samples. The formation of the trihydroxy fatty acid bitter compound, pinellic acid (9S,12S,13S-trihydroxy-10E-octadecenoic acid), was impacted by the lipoxygenase activity of the flour; however, there was no influence on the formation of 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid or 1-(9Z,12Z-octadecadienoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Additionally, the concentrations of all bitter compounds were significantly higher in bread made from aged flour versus non-aged flour.     

Straightforward access to new vinca-alkaloids via selective reduction of a nitrile containing anhydrovinblastine derivative

A procedure to exclusively obtain 3′S-cyanoanhydrovinblastine 12 from two naturally occurring vinca-alkaloids (catharanthine and vindoline) in one step with good yield is described. Stereoselective reductions of 12, providing straightforward access to three new vinca-alkaloids, including two diastereomers 3′S-cyano-(4′R,5′-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine and 3′S-cyano-(4′S,5′-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine as well as (3′S-aminomethyl)-(4′S,5′-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine in good yields is also reported.     

Tragoponol, a dimeric dihydroisocoumarin from Tragopogon porrifolius L.

A phytochemical re-investigation of Tragopogon porrifolius L. (Asteraceae) yielded (7S,15S)-2,4,12-trihydroxy-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10-methoxy-15-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7,8,15,16-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,i][1,7]dioxacyclododecine-5,13-dione, named tragoponol, a dimeric dihydroisocoumarin.The compound, which represents the first of its kind, is comprised of the open-chained forms of two different mono-methoxylated dihydroisocoumarin moieties, scorzocreticin and hongkongenin, which are connected via two ester bonds to form a macrolide with two lactone moieties featuring a 12-membered ring. The structure of the nearly symmetrical compound was established by HR mass spectrometry, CD measurements, and extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments.     

Highly Oxygenated Triterpenoids and Diterpenoids from Fructus Rubi (Rubus chingii Hu) and Their NF-kappa B Inhibitory Effects

During a phytochemical investigation of the unripe fruits of Rubus chingii Hu (i.e., Fructus Rubi, a traditional Chinese medicine named “Fu-Pen-Zi”), a number of highly oxygenated terpenoids were isolated and characterized. These included nine ursane-type (1, 2, and 4–10), five oleanane-type (3, 11–14), and six cucurbitane-type (15–20) triterpenoids, together with five ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids (21–25). Among them, (4R,5R,8R,9R,10R,14S,17S,18S,19R,20R)-2,19α,23-trihydroxy-3-oxo-urs-1,12-dien-28-oic acid (rubusacid A, 1), (2R*,4S*,5R*,8R*,9R*,10R*,14S*,17S*, 18S*,19R*,20R*)-2α,19α,24-trihydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (rubusacid B, 2), (5R,8R,9R,10R, 14S,17R,18S,19S)-2,19α-dihydroxy-olean-1,12-dien-28-oic acid (rubusacid C, 3), and (3S,5S,8S,9R, 10S,13R,16R)-3α,16α,17-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-2-one (rubusone, 21) were previously undescribed. Their chemical structures and absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analyses. Compounds 1 and 3 are rare naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoids featuring a special α,β-unsaturated keto-enol (diosphenol) unit in ring A. Cucurbitacin B (15), cucurbitacin D (16), and 3α,16α,20(R),25-tetrahydroxy-cucurbita-5,23- dien-2,11,22-trione (17) were found to have remarkable inhibitory effects against NF-κB, with IC₅₀ values of 0.08, 0.61, and 1.60 μM, respectively.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (11R, 12S, 13S, 9Z, 15Z)-9, 12, 13-Trihydroxyoctadeca-9, 15-dienoic Acid,a self-defensive agent against rice-blast disease

The Diels-Alder adduct of furan and 1-cyanovinyl (1′R)-camphanate was converted into methyl [(tert-butyl)-dimethylsilyl 5-deoxy-2, 3-O-isopropylidene-β-L -ribo-hexofuranosid] uronate ((+)- 4 ). Reduction with diisobutyl-aluminium hydride gave the corresponding aldehyde which was condensed with the ylide derived from triphenyl-(propyl)phosphonium bromide to give (1R, 2S, 3S, 4S)-1-[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]tetrahedro-2, 3-(isopropyl-idenedioxy)-4-[(Z)-pent-2′ -enyl]furan ((+)- 7 ). Removal of the silyl protective group gave a mixture of the corresponding furanose that underwent Wittig reaction with the ylide derived from [8-(methoxycarbonyl)-octyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide to yield methyl (11R, 12S, 13S, 9Z, 15Z)-13-hydroxy-11, 12-(isopropylidene-dioxy)octadeca-9, 15-dienoate ((?)- 9 ). Acidic hydrolysis, then saponification afforded (11R, 12S, 13S, 9Z, 15Z)-11, 12, 13-trihydroxyoctadeca-9, 15-dienoic acid ( 1 ).     

Spirocoleone: Synthese und Charakterisierung von vier diastereomeren Spiro (methylcyclopropan)-Substrukturen; Revision der Konfiguration an C(12) und C(15) von Coleon P und Derivaten sowie von Coleon-Z-Derivaten; Röntgenstrukturanalysen von Lanugon J und weiteren Spirocoleonen

Spirocoleons: Synthesis and Characterization of Four Diastereomeric Spiro (methylcyclopropane) Substructures; Revision of the Configuration at C(12) and C(15) of Coleon P and Derivatives and Coleon-Z Derivatives; X-Ray Analysis of Lanugon J and of Further Spirocoleons X-ray analyses show the correctness of the previously published structure of coleon Q (1) , establish the structure of lanugon J (4a) , and necessitate a revision of the configuration at C(12) and C(15) in coleon P (3a) and its derivatives 3b and 3c , and furthermore of the coleon Z derivatives 11a–11d . Two further diastereomeric spiro (methylcyclopropane) substructures have been generated by photoisomerization of lanugon J (4a) and 12-O-desacetylcoleon N (8) ; they represent the novel cis-type B with (12R, 13R, 15S)- and the novel trans-type D with (12R, 13R, 15R)-configuration (Scheme 1). The structures of the photoproducts 5a ((12R, 13R, 15R)-lanugon J) and 7a ((12R, 13R, 15S)-lanugon J) were established by X-ray analysis. So far, only two of the eight possible diastereomers of the spiro-(methylcyclopropane) substructure I have been detected in nature, i.e. the trans-type A with (12R, 13S, 15S)- and the cis-type C with (12R, 13S, 15R)-configuration. The four diastereomers A-D , all possessing (12R)-configuration, show very similar properties. However, careful comparison of spectral and chiroptical data allow a differentiation, even in the case of functionalization of H₃C(17). The (12S)-counter-parts could not yet be prepared.     

Determination of the absolute configuration of marine oxylipin topsentolide A1 by the synthesis of the enantiomer of the natural product

Two possible stereoisomers of topsentolide A₁, a cytotoxic oxylipin against human solid tumor cell lines, were prepared in order to determine the stereochemistry of natural product. That is, the enantiomer of topsentolide A₁, (8S,11S,12R)-isomer, and its diastereomer was efficiently synthesized in a stereoselective manner. The stereochemistry of topsentolide A₁ was determined to be 8R,11R,12S by comparing NMR spectra and specific rotations of the synthetic isomers and the natural product.     

Enantioselective alkynylation of aldehydes with chiral β-imino α-perfluoroalkylpropanol derivatives

Chiral β-imino α-perfluoroalkylpropanol derivatives 1 were prepared by condensation of (2S,3S)-2-amino-3-perfluorooctyl-1-phenylpropan-3-ol 2 and aldehydes. Among them, (2S,3S)-1d prepared from 2 and salicylaldehyde catalyzed the asymmetric alkynylation of aldehydes using alkynylzincs to afford the product in up to 81% ee.     

Asymmetric syntheses of piperidino-benzodiazepines through ‘cation-pool’ host/guest supramolecular approach and their DNA-binding studies

The asymmetric synthetic approach to piperidino-benzodiazepine 4a (a homolog of DC-81) has been developed. The absolute stereochemistry of 4 and 5 has been assigned to be (S) at C-12a position. This procedure features the use of a ‘cation-pool’ strategy and also a host/guest supramolecular co-catalysis approach. In this study, the chloroformate of 8-phenylmenthyl has been employed as a chiral auxiliary and includes one-pot conditions for anodic oxidation, which are followed by nucleophilic addition to an N-acyliminium ion. In addition, intramolecular azido reductive-cyclization and nitro reductive dithioacetal deprotective tandem-cyclization approaches have also been utilized for the syntheses of these compounds 4a,b and 5a,b. Some of the representative compounds exhibited an enhanced DNA-binding ability in comparison to the natural product DC-81.     

Synthesis of ‘thianthrene dimer’ by the coupling reaction of stannylthianthrenes in the presence of copper catalysts

The coupling reaction of 1-tributylstannylthianthrene (5) and 2-tributylstannylthianthrene (7) in the presence of copper catalysts at rt afforded the thianthrene dimer 1,1′-bithianthrene (3), 2,2′-bithianthrene (8), and 1,2′-dithianthrene (9) in high yields. Also we obtained thianthrene oxide dimer (R,R) (S,S)-1-(10-S-monoxythianthrene-1-yl)thianthrene-10-S-monoxide (12) and (R,S) (S,R)-1-(10-S-monoxythianthrene-1-yl)thianthrene-10-S-monoxide (13) from 1-tributylstannyl-10-S-monoxythianthrene (10) under the same reaction condition. The final structural conformation of 3, 8, 9, and 12 was performed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Further, the solvent effects in the coupling reactions were also examined.