New α‐Glucosidase Inhibitors from the Mongolian Medicinal Plant Ferula mongolica

The four new and four known sesquiterpenoid derivatives 1 – 4 and 5 – 8 , respectively, were isolated from the air‐dried roots of Ferula mongolica. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and found to be rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐3,4‐dihydro‐3,8‐dihydroxy‐2‐methyl‐2H,5H‐pyrano[2,3‐b][1]benzopyran‐5‐one ( 1 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[2,3‐b][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 2 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 3 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 4 ), (4E,8E)‐1‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5,9,13‐trimethyltetradeca‐4,8,12‐trien‐1‐one ( 5 ), the rel‐(2R,3S) diastereoisomer 6 of 2 , the rel‐(2R,3S) diastereoisomer 7 of 4 , and (4E,8E)‐1‐(2,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐5,9,13‐trimethyltetradeca‐4,8,12‐trien‐1‐one ( 8 ). These compounds were tested as inhibitors against the enzyme α‐glucosidase. The compounds 1 – 6 and 8 exhibited significant inhibitory activity and, therefore, represent a new class of α‐glucosidase inhibitors.     

Four Novel Dihydroisocoumarin (=3,4‐Dihydro‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one) Glucosides from the Fungus Cephalosporium sp. AL031

Four novel dihydroisocoumarin (=3,4‐dihydro‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one) glucosides were isolated from a culture broth of a strain of the fungus Cephalosporium sp. AL031. Their structures were elucidated as (2E,4E)‐5‐[(3S)‐5‐acetyl‐8‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐hydroxy‐1‐oxo‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐3‐yl]penta‐2,4‐dienal ( 1 ), (2E,4E)‐5‐[(3S)‐5‐acetyl‐8‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐methoxy‐1‐oxo‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐3‐yl]penta‐2,4‐dienal ( 2 ), (3S)‐8‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐3‐[(1E,3E,5E)‐hepta‐1,3,5‐trienyl]‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one ( 3 ), and (3S)‐8‐[(6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐3‐[(1E,3E,5E)‐hepta‐1,3,5‐trienyl]‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐methoxy‐5‐methyl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one ( 4 ) by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques and chemical methods.     

Two New Citrinin Dimers from a Volcano Ash‐Derived Fungus,Penicillium citrinum HGY1‐5

Two new citrinin dimers, penidicitrinin A ((2R,3S,5aS,9R,10S,12aR,12bR)‐2,3,5a,6,9,10,12a,12b‐octahydro‐7,12a‐dihydroxy‐12b‐methoxy‐2,3,4,9,10,11‐hexamethyl‐5H‐difuro[2,3‐b : 2′,3′‐h]xanthen‐5‐one; 1 ) and penidicitrinin B ((1S,3R,4S)‐1‐{2,6‐dihydroxy‐4‐[(1S,2R)‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐methylpropyl]‐3‐methylphenyl}‐3,4‐dihydro‐3,4,5‐trimethyl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐6,8‐diol; 2 ), together with three known citrinin monomers were isolated from a volcano ash‐derived fungus, Penicillium citrinum HGY1‐5. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods, and they showed no cytotoxicity against two tumor cell lines.     

Chemical and Cytotoxic Constituents from the Stem of Machilus zuihoensis

Five new compounds, including a novel lactone, machilactone (=rel‐(2R,3aR,6E,6aS)‐2‐heptadecyl‐3a‐methyl‐6‐octadecylidene‐6,6a‐dihydrofuro[2,3‐d][1,3]dioxol‐5(3aH)‐one; 1 ), a new sesquiterpene, 3,4‐dihydroxy‐β‐bisabolol (=rel‐(1R,2S,4R)‐1‐[(1R)‐1,5‐dimethylhex‐4‐enyl]‐1‐methylcyclohexane‐1,2,4‐triol; 2 ), a new secobutyrolactone, methyl (2E)‐2‐(1‐hydroxy‐2‐oxopropyl)eicos‐2‐enoate ( 3 ), two new butyrolactones, machicolide A ( 4 ) and machicolide B ( 5 ) (=3E,4R,5R)‐ and (3Z,4R,5R)‐4,5‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐5‐methyl‐3‐octadecylidenefuran‐2(3H)‐one, resp.) as a mixture, together with known caryophyllene oxide (=4,12,12‐trimethyl‐9‐methylene‐5‐oxatricyclo[8.2.0.0^4,6]dodecane), hexacosane, tetracosanoic acid, isomahubanolide‐23 (=(3E,4R)‐4,5‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methylidene‐3‐octadecylidenefuran‐2(3H)‐one), and β‐bisabolol (=(1S)‐1‐[(1S)‐1,5‐dimethylhex‐4‐enyl]‐4‐methylcyclohex‐3‐en‐1‐ol) were isolated from the stem wood of Machilus zuihoensis. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic studies. The eicos‐2‐enoate ( 3 ) and β‐bisabolol exhibited marginal cytotoxicity against NUGC and HONE‐1 cancer cell lines in vitro.     

Neoclerodane Diterpenes from Amoora stellato‐squamosa

From the twigs of Amoora stellato‐squamosa, five new neoclerodane diterpenes have been isolated and characterized, methyl (13E)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15‐oate (=methyl (2E)‐3‐methyl‐5‐[(1S,2R,4aR,8aR)‐1,2,3,4,4a,7,8,8a‐octahydro‐1,2,4a,5‐tetramethyl‐7‐oxo‐naphthalen‐1‐yl]pent‐2‐enoate; 1 ), (13E)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15‐ol (=(4aR,7R,8S,8aR)‐1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a‐octahydro‐8‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐4,4a,7,8‐tetramethylnaphthalen‐2(1H)‐one; 2 ), (3α,4β,13E)‐neoclerod‐13‐ene‐3,4,15‐triol (=(1R,2R,4aR, 5S,6R,8aR)‐decahydro‐5‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalene‐1,2‐diol; 3 ), (3α,4β,13E)‐4‐ethoxyneoclerod‐13‐ene‐3,15‐diol (=(1R,2R,4aR,5S,6R,8aR)‐1‐ethoxydecahydro‐5‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalen‐2‐ol; 4 ), and (3α,4β,14RS)‐neoclerod‐13(16)‐ ene‐3,4,14,15‐tetrol (=(1R,2R,4aR,5S,6R,8aR)‐decahydro‐5‐[3‐(1,2‐dihydroxyethyl)but‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalene‐1,2‐diol; 5 ), together with two known compounds, (13E)‐neocleroda‐3,13‐diene‐15,18‐diol ( 6 ) and (13S)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,14‐dien‐13‐ol ( 7 ).     

A Novel Norlignan and a Novel Phenylpropanoid from Peperomia tetraphylla

A novel cyclobutane‐type norlignan, peperotetraphin (=methyl rel‐(1R,2S,3S)‐2,3‐bis(7‐methoxy‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)cyclobutanecarboxylate; 1 ), and a novel phenylpropanoid, i.e., methyl (2E)‐3‐(7‐methoxy‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)prop‐2‐enoate ( 2 ), along with three known compounds, α‐asarone (=1,2,4‐trimethoxy‐5‐[(1E)‐prop‐1‐en‐1‐yl]benzene), vanillic acid (=4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzoic acid), and veratric acid (=3,4‐dimethoxybenzoic acid), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Peperomia tetraphylla. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, especially 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. This is the first report of naturally occurring cyclobutane‐type norlignans.     

Flavonoids from the Resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis

Chemical investigation of the red herbal resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis resulted in the isolation of three new configurationally isomeric flavonoids: 6,4′‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐8‐methylflavane (=3,4‐dihydro‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐8‐methyl‐2H‐[1]benzopyran‐6‐ol; 1 ), 5,4′‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐6‐methylflavane (=3,4‐dihydro‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐[1]benzopyran‐5‐ol; 2 ), and 7,4′‐dihydroxy‐5‐ methoxyhomoisoflavane (=3,4‐dihydro‐3‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)methyl]‐5‐methoxy‐2H‐[1]benzopyran‐7‐ol; 3 ). Their structures were identified by means of detailed spectral analysis. In addition, thirteen known compounds were isolated from D. cochinchinensis: 7‐hydroxy‐4′‐methoxyflavane ( 4 ), 2,4,6‐trimethoxy‐4′‐hydroxydihydrochalcone ( 5 ), 2,4‐dimethoxy‐4′‐hydroxydihydrochalcone ( 6 ), 7,8‐(methylenedioxy)‐4′‐hydroxyhomoisoflavane ( 7 ), 4′,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methylflavane ( 8 ), 2,6‐dimethoxy‐4,4′‐dihydroxydihydrochalcone ( 9 ), 2‐methoxy‐4,4′‐dihydroxydihydrochalcone ( 10 ), 7‐methoxy‐6,4′‐dihydroxyhomoisoflavane ( 11 ), 2‐methoxy‐4,4′‐dihydroxychalcone ( 12 ), 4′,7‐dihydroxyflavane ( 13 ), 7,4′‐dihydroxyhomoisoflavane ( 14 ), 7,4′‐dihydroxyhomoisoflavone ( 15 ), and 7,4′‐dihydroxyflavone ( 16 ). Compounds 7, 8, 9, 14 , and 15 have been isolated for the first time from this type of herbal source.     

Determination of Absolute Configuration of Decipinone,a Diterpenoid Ester with a Myrsinane‐Type Carbon Skeleton,by NMR Spectroscopy

The absolute configuration of decipinone ( 2 ), a myrsinane‐type diterpene ester previously isolated from Euphorbia decipiens, has been determined by NMR study of its axially chiral derivatives (aR)‐ and (aS)‐N‐hydroxy‐2′‐methoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2‐carboximidoyl chloride ((aR)‐MBCC ( 3a ) and (aS)‐MBCC ( 3b )). The absolute configurations at C(7) and C(13) of 2 determined were (R) and (S), respectively. Therefore, considering the relative configuration of 2 , the absolute configuration determined was (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R,7R,11S,12R,13S,15R).     

Artabotryols A – E,New Lanostane Triterpenes from the Seeds of Artabotrys odoratissimus

Six new lanostane triterpenes, artabotryols A, B, C1, C2, D, and E ( 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 , and 5 , resp.) have been isolated from the seeds of Artabotrys odoratissimus (Annonaceae). Their structures have been established as (3α,22S,25R)‐3‐hydroxy‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐en‐26‐one ( 1 ), (3α,22S,25R)‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐ene‐3,26‐diol ( 2 ), (3α,22S,25R,26R)‐26‐methoxy‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐en‐3‐ol ( 3a ), (3α,22S,25R, 26S)‐26‐methoxy‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐en‐3‐ol ( 3b ), (3α,22S,25R)‐3,22‐dihydroxylanost‐8‐en‐26‐oic acid ( 4 ) and (3α,7α,11α,22S,25R)‐3,7,11‐trihydroxy‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐en‐26‐one ( 5 ) by spectroscopic studies and chemical correlations.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Complicated Bicyclic and Tricyclic Polypropanoates via the Double Diels‐Alder Addition of 2,2′‐Ethylidenebis[3,5‐dimethylfuran]

A new, non‐iterative method for the asymmetric synthesis of long‐chain and polycyclic polypropanoate fragments starting from 2,2′‐ethylidenebis[3,5‐dimethylfuran] ( 2 ) has been developed. Diethyl (2E,5E)‐4‐oxohepta‐2,5‐dienoate ( 6 ) added to 2 to give a single meso‐adduct 7 containing nine stereogenic centers. Its desymmetrization was realized by hydroboration with (+)‐IpcBH₂ (isopinocampheylborane), leading to diethyl (1S,2R,3S,4S,4aS,7R,8R,8aR,9aS,10R,10aR)‐1,3,4,7,8,8a,9,9a‐octahydro‐3‐hydroxy‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐9‐oxo‐2H,10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐1,8‐dicarboxylate ((+)‐ 8 ; 78% e.e.). Alternatively, 7 was converted to meso‐(1R,2R,4R,4aR,5S,7S,8S,8aR,9aS,10s,10aS)‐1,8‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐1,8,8a,9a‐tetrahydro‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐2H‐10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐3,6,9(4H,5H,7H)‐trione ( 32 ) that was reduced enantioselectively by BH₃ catalyzed by methyloxazaborolidine 19 derived from L ‐diphenylprolinol giving (1S,2S,4S,4aS,5S,6R,7R,8R,8aS,9aR,10R,10aS)‐1,8‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐1,8,8a,9a‐tetrahydro‐6‐hydroxy‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐2H,10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐3,9(4H,7H)‐dione ((−)‐ 33 ; 90% e.e.). Chemistry was explored to carry out chemoselective 7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanone oxa‐ring openings and intra‐ring C−C bond cleavage. Polycyclic polypropanoates such as (1R,2S,3R,4R,4aR,5S,6R,7S,8R,9R,10R,11S,12aR)‐1‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a‐decahydro‐3,11‐dihydroxy‐2,4,5,7,9‐pentamethyl‐12‐oxo‐2H,5H‐2,4a : 6,9 : 6,11‐triepoxybenzocyclodecene‐10,8‐carbolactone ( 51 ), (1S,2R,3R,4R,4aS,5S,7S,8R,9R,10R,12S,12aS)‐1,10‐bis(acetoxymethyl)tetradecahydro‐8‐(methoxymethoxy)‐2,4,5,7,9‐pentamethyl‐3,9‐bis{[2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methoxy}‐6,11‐epoxycyclodecene‐4a,6,11,12‐tetrol ((+)‐ 83 ), and (1R,2R,3R,4aR,4bR,5S,6R, 7R,8R,8aS,9S,10aR)‐3,5‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐4a,8a‐dihydroxy‐1‐(methoxymethoxy)‐2,6,8,9,10a‐pentamethyl‐2,7‐bis{[2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methoxy}dodecahydrophenanthrene‐4,10‐dione ( 85 ) were obtained in few synthetic steps.     

Synthesis of Heteroanellated Pyranosides Starting from Methyl 4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2,3‐dideoxy‐α‐d‐erythro‐hexopyranosid‐2‐ylidenemalononitrile

The hexopyranosid‐2‐ylidenemalononitrile 1 reacted with phenyl isothiocyanate in the presence of triethylamine to furnish (2R,4aR,6S,10bS)‐8‐amino‐4a,6,10,10b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐phenyl‐10‐phenylimino‐4H‐thiopyrano[3′,4′:4,5]pyrano[3,2‐d][1,3]dioxine‐7‐carbonitrile (2). Starting from 1, cyclization with sulphur and diethylamine yielded (2R,4aR,6S,9bR)‐8‐amino‐4,4a,6,9b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐phenylthieno[2′,3′:4,5]pyrano[3,2‐d][1,3]dioxine‐7‐carbonitrile (3), which could be transformed into the corresponding aminomethylenamino derivative 4 by treatment with triethyl orthoformate and ammonia. Intramolecular cyclization of 4 to yield (2R,4aR,6S,11bR)‐4,4a,6,11b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐phenyl[1,3]dioxino[4″,5″:5′,6′]pyrano[3′,4′:4,5]thieno [2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐amine (5) was achieved by using NaH as base. (2R,4aR,6S,9bS)‐8‐Amino‐4a,6,9,9b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐9‐(4‐methylphenyl‐sulfonyl)‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐[1,3]dioxino[4′,5′:5,6]pyrano[4,3‐b]pyrrole‐7‐carbonitrile (6) was prepared by treatment of compound 1 with tosylazide and triethylamine.     

Three New Neolignans from the Aril of Myristica fragrans

Three new neolignans, named 1‐deoxycarinatone ( 1 ), isodihydrocarinatidin ( 2 ), and isolicarin A ( 3 ), together with the known neolignan (+)‐dehydrodiisoeugenol ( 4 ), were isolated from mace (the aril of Myristica fragrans Houtt .). Their structures were elucidated as 2‐[(1S)‐2‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐methylethyl]‐6‐methoxy‐4‐(prop‐2‐enyl)phenol ( 1 ), 4‐[(2R,3R)‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐methoxy‐3‐methyl‐5‐(prop‐2‐enyl)benzofuran‐2‐yl]‐2‐methoxyphenol ( 2 ), and 4‐{(2S,3R)‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐methoxy‐3‐methyl‐5‐[(1E)‐prop‐1‐enyl]benzofuran‐2‐yl}‐2‐methoxyphenol ( 3 ) on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

Cadinene Derivatives from Eupatorium adenophorum

A new norsesquiterpene named eupatorone (= (4S,4aR,6R)‐1‐acetyl‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐4,4a,5,6‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐dimethylnaphthalen‐2(3H)‐one; 1 ) and a new sesquiterpene derivative named 2‐deoxo‐2‐(acetyloxy)‐9‐oxoageraphorone (= (1R,4S,4aR,6R,8aS)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐3,4,4a,5,6,8a‐hexahydro‐4,7‐dimethyl‐1‐(1‐methylethyl)naphthalen‐2(1H)‐one; 2 ), together with the five known cadinene derivatives 3 – 7 were isolated from the flower of Eupatorium adenophorum (Spreng. ). Their structures were established by extensive NMR experiments, including 1D and 2D NMR.     

Chemical Constituents of Tripterygium wilfordii

The two new triterpenoids, (5β,8α,9β,10α,13α,14β)‐5,9,13‐trimethyl‐4‐oxo‐3,24,25,26‐tetranor‐2,3‐secooleanane‐2,29‐dioic acid (=4‐oxo‐D:A‐friedo‐3‐nor‐2,3‐secooleanane‐2,29‐dioic acid; 1 ) and (2α,3β,4β,5β,8α,9tlsb=‐2%>β,10α,13α,14β,24R)‐3,24‐epoxy‐24‐ethoxy‐2‐hydroxy‐5,9,13‐trimethyl‐24,25,26‐trinoroleanan‐29‐oic acid (=3β,24‐ epoxy‐24α‐ethoxy‐2α‐hydroxy‐D:A‐friedooleanan‐29‐oic acid; 2 ) (absolute configurations tentative), together with a novel bi‐2H‐benzopyran, namely (rel‐(3R,3′S,4R,4′S)‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetrahydro‐6,6′‐dimethoxy[3,3′‐bi‐2H‐benzopyran]‐4,4′‐diol ( 3 ), were isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook . f. Their structures were established by chemical and spectroscopic studies and by X‐ray crystallography.     

A New Isofuranonaphthalenone and Benzopyrans from the Endophytic Fungus Nodulisporium sp. A4 from Aquilaria sinensis

A new isofuranonaphthalenone, (7R*,8S*)‐3,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4,7,8‐trihydroxynaphtho[2,3‐c]furan‐5(1H)‐one ( 1 ), and a new benzopyran, (2R*,4R*)‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐5‐ol ( 2 ), together with four known related analogs, 3 – 6 , were isolated from the culture of Nodulisporium sp. A4, an endophytic fungus from the stem of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg . The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data as well as by comparison with literature reports. The isolated compounds 1 – 6 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the NCI‐H460 and SF‐268 tumor cell lines.     

New Lignan,Benzofuran, and Sesquiterpene Derivatives from the Roots of Leontopodium alpinum and L. leontopodioides

Three new compounds, including a benzofuran, 1‐{(2R*,3S*)‐3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐[1‐(hydroxymethyl)vinyl]‐1‐benzofuran‐5‐yl}ethanone ( 1 ), a lignan, [(2S,3R,4R)‐4‐(3,4‐dimethoxybenzyl)‐2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran‐3‐yl]methyl (2E)‐2‐methylbut‐2‐enoate ( 2 ), and a silphiperfolene‐type sesquiterpene, [(1S,2Z,3aS,5aS,6R,8aR)‐1,3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8‐octahydro‐1,3a,6‐trimethylcyclopenta[c]pentalen‐2‐yl]methyl acetate ( 3 ), together with the known coumarins obliquin ( 4 ) and its 5‐methoxy derivative 5 were isolated from the roots of Leontopodium alpinum. Another known coumarin derivative, 5‐hydroxyobliquin ( 6 ), was isolated from the roots of L. leontopodioides. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic studies.     

Three ginkgolide hydrates from Ginkgo biloba L.: ginkgolide A monohydrate,ginkgolide C sesquihydrate and ginkgolide J dihydrate,all determined at 120 K

A low‐temperature structure of ginkgolide A monohydrate, (1R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11aS)‐3‐(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐4,7b‐di­hydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxymethano‐1H,6aH‐cyclo­penta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]­furo­[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclopenta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione monohydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₉·H₂O, obtained from Mo Kα data, is a factor of three more precise than the previous room‐temperature determination. A refinement of the ginkgolide A monohydrate structure with Cu Kα data has allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration of the series of compounds. Ginkgolide C sesquihydrate, (1S,2R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11S,11aR)‐3‐(1,1‐di­methyl­ethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,7b,11‐tetrahydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxy­methano‐1H,6aH‐cyclopenta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]­furo­[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclo­penta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione sesquihydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₁₁·1.5H₂O, has two independent diterpene mol­ecules, both of which exhibit intramolecular hydrogen bonding between OH groups. Ginkgolide J dihydrate, (1S,2R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11aS)‐3‐(1,1‐di­methyl­ethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,7b‐tri­hydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxy­methano‐1H,6aH‐cyclo­penta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]furo[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclo­penta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione dihydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₁₀·2H₂O, has the same basic skeleton as the other ginkgolides, with its three OH groups having the same configurations as those in ginkgolide C. The conformations of the six five‐membered rings are quite similar across ­ginkgolides A–C and J, except for the A and F rings of ginkgolide A.     

Four novel spirooxazacamphorsultam derivatives

The chiral compounds (6aS,9S,10aR)‐11,11‐dimethyl‐5,5‐dioxo‐2,3,8,9‐tetrahydro‐6H‐6a,9‐methanooxazaolo[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐10(7H)‐one, C₁₂H₁₇NO₄S, (1), (7aS,10S,11aR)‐12,12‐dimethyl‐6,6‐dioxo‐3,4,9,10‐tetrahydro‐7H‐7a,10‐methano‐2H‐1,3‐oxazino[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐11(8H)‐one, C₁₃H₁₉NO₄S, (2), (6aS,9S,10R,10aR)‐11,11‐dimethyl‐5,5‐dioxo‐2,3,7,8,9,10‐hexahydro‐6H‐6a,9‐methanooxazolo[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐10‐ol, C₁₂H₁₉NO₄S, (3), and (7aS,10S,11R,11aR)‐12,12‐dimethyl‐6,6‐dioxo‐3,4,8,9,10,11‐hexahydro‐7H‐7a‐methano‐2H‐[1,3]oxazino[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐11‐ol, C₁₃H₂₁NO₄S, (4), consist of a camphor core with a five‐membered spirosultaoxazolidine or six‐membered spirosultaoxazine, as both their keto and hydroxy derivatives. In each structure, the molecules are linked via hydrogen bonding to the sulfonyl O atoms, forming chains in the unit‐cell b‐axis direction. The chains interconnect via weak C—H...O interactions. The keto compounds have very similar packing but represent the highest melting [507–508 K for (1)] and lowest melting [457–458 K for (2)] solids.     

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.     

Synthesis of Pyrano‐ and Pyrido‐Anellated Pyranosides as Precursors for Nucleoside Analogues

The push‐pull activated methyl (3Z)‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐3‐[(methylthio)methylene]‐3‐deoxy‐α‐D‐erythro‐hexopyranosid‐2‐ulose (1) reacted with dialkyl malonate in the presence of potassium carbonate to give the alkyl (2R,4aR,6S,10bS)‐4a,6,8,10b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐8‐oxo‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐pyrano[3′,2′:4,5]pyrano[3,2‐d][1,3]dioxine‐9‐carboxylates 2 and 3. Treatment of 1 with 3‐oxo‐N‐phenyl‐butyramide, N‐(4‐methoxy‐phenyl)‐3‐oxo‐butyramide, and 3‐oxo‐N‐o‐tolyl‐butyramide, respectively, in the presence of potassium carbonate and 18‐crown‐6 yielded the (2R,4aR,6S,10bS)‐9‐acetyl‐7‐aryl‐4,4a,7,10b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐phenyl[1,3]dioxino‐[4′,5′:5,6]pyrano[3,4‐b]pyridin‐8(6H)‐ones 4–6. (2R,4aR,6S,10bS)‐4,4a,8,10b‐Tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐8‐oxo‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐pyrano[3′,2′:4,5]pyrano[3,2‐d][1,3]dioxine‐9‐carboxamide (7) was prepared by anellation reactions of 1 either with malononitrile or with cyanoacetamide.