5-(α-Fluorovinyl)tryptamines and 5-(α-Fluorovinyl)-3-(N-methyl-1′,2′,5′,6′,-tetrahydropyridin-3′- and -4′-yl)indoles—5-(α-Fluorovinyl)tryptamines

5-(α-Fluorovinyl)tryptamines 4a, 4b and 5-(α-fluorovinyl)-3-(N-methyl-1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-3′- and -4′-yl) indoles 5a, 5b were synthesized using 5-(α-fluorovinyl)indole ( 7 ). The target compounds are bioisosteres of 5-carboxyamido substituted tryptamines and their tetrahydropyridyl analogs.     

Nucleophilic Substitution in the Allylic System of Codeine and Pseudocodeine: Reactions with lithium cyano(methyl)-and (aryl)cyanocuprates. Crystal and molecular structure of 8α-phenyl-6,7-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan and 6α-phenyl-7,8-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan

Nucleophilic substitution of 6β-chloro-7,8-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan ( 1 ) and 8α-bromo-6,7-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan ( 2 ) with lithium cyano(methyl)- and (aryl)cyanocuprates(I) ( 5a–c ) was accompanied by allylic rearrangement with both change and retention of orientation of the substituting group (Scheme 1, Table 1). Nucleophilic substitution in 7,8-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6α-yl methanesulfonate ( 3 ) and 7,8-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6β-yl methanesulfonate ( 4 ) proceeded without allylic rearrangement with both change and retention of the orientation of the substituting group (Scheme 2, Table 1). X-Ray diffraction studies of the products 6,7-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-8α-phenylmorphinan ( 6b ) and 7,8-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-6β-phenylmorphinan ( 7b ) were carried out (Figs. 1 and 2).     

Thermische Lactonisierung von Estern γ-Brom-α, β-ungesättigter Carbonsäuren zu Δα-Butenoliden. Direkte γ-Bromierung von α, β-ungesättigten Säuren

By heating with iron powder at 120–150° some γ-bromo-α, β-unsaturated carboxylic methyl esters, and, less smothly, the corresponding acids, were lactonized to Δ^7alpha;-butenolides with elimination of methyl bromide. The following conversions have thus been made: methyl γ-bromocrotonate ( 1c ) and the corresponding acid ( 1d ) to Δ^α-butenolide ( 8a ), methyl γ-bromotiglate ( 3c ) and the corresponding acid ( 3d ) to α-methyl-Δ^α-butenolide ( 8b ), a mixture of methyl trans- and cis-γ-bromosenecioate ( 7c and 7e ) and a mixture of the corresponding acids ( 7d and 7f ) to β-methyl-Δ^α-butenolide ( 8c ). The procedure did not work with methyl trans-γ-bromo-Δ^α-pentenoate ( 5c ) nor with its acid ( 5d ). Most of the γ-bromo-α, β-unsaturated carboxylic esters ( 1c, 7c, 7e and 5c ) are available by direct N-bromosuccinimide bromination of the α, β-unsaturated esters 1a, 7a and 5a ; methyl γ-bromotiglate ( 3c ) is obtained from both methyl tiglate ( 3a ) and methyl angelate ( 4a ), but has to be separated from a structural isomer. The γ-bromo-α, β-unsaturated esters are shown by NMR. to have the indicated configurations which are independent of the configuration of the α, β-unsaturated esters used; the bromination always leads to the more stable configuration, usually the one with the bromine-carrying carbon anti to the carboxylic ester group; an exception is methyl γ-bromo-senecioate, for which the two isomers (cis, 7e , and trans, 7d ) have about the same stability. The N-bromosuccinimide bromination of the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids 1b , 3b , 4b , 5b and 7b is shown to give results entirely analogous to those with the corresponding esters. In this way γ-bromocrotonic acid ( 1 d ), γ-bromotiglic acid ( 3 d ), trans- and cis-γ-bromosenecioic acid ( 7d and 7f ) as well as trans-γ-bromo-Δ^α-pentenoic acid ( 5d ) have been prepared. Iron powder seems to catalyze the lactonization by facilitating both the elimination of methyl bromide (or, less smoothly, hydrogen bromide) and the rotation about the double bond. α-Methyl-Δ^α-butenolide ( 8b ) was converted to 1-benzyl-( 9a ), 1-cyclohexyl-( 9b ), and 1-(4′-picoly1)-3-methyl-Δ^α-pyrrolin-2-one ( 9 c ) by heating at 180° with benzylamine, cyclohexylamine, and 4-picolylamine. The butenolide 8b showed cytostatic and even cytocidal activity; in preliminary tests, no carcinogenicity was observed. Both 8b and 9c exhibited little toxicity.     

Strukturelle Abwandlungen an partiell silylierten Kohlenhydraten mittels Triphenylphosphin/Azodicarbonsäure-diäthylester. 3. Mitteilung [1]

Structural Modification on Partially Silylated Carbohydrates by Means of Triphenylphosphine/Diethyl Azodicarboxylate Reaction of methyl 2, 6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D -glucopyranoside ( 1a ) with triphenylphosphine (TPP)/diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) and Ph₃P · HBr or methyl iodide yields methyl 3-bromo-2, 6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-3-deoxy-β-D -allopyranoside ( 3a ) and the corresponding 3-deoxy-3-iodo-alloside 3c (Scheme 1). By a similar way methyl 2, 6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-α-D -glucopyranoside ( 2a ) can be converted to the 4-bromo-4-deoxy-galactoside 4a and the 4-deoxy-4-iodo-galactoside 4b . In the absence of an external nucleophile the sugar derivatives 1a and 2a react with TPP/DEAD to form the 3,4-anhydro-α- or -β-D -galactosides 5 and 6a , respectively, while methyl 4, 6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D -glucopyranoside ( 1b ) yields methyl 2,3-anhydro-4, 6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D -allopyranoside ( 7a , s. Scheme 2). Even the monosilylated sugar methyl 6-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-α-D -glucopyranoside ( 2b ) can be transformed to methyl 2,3-anhydro-6-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D -allopyranoside ( 8 ; 56%) and 3,4-anhydro-α-D -alloside 9 (23%, s. Scheme 3). Reaction of 1c with TPP/DEAD/HN₃ leads to methyl 3-azido-6-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-3-deoxy-β-D -allopyranoside ( 10 ). The epoxides 7 and 8 were converted with NaN₃/NH₄Cl to the 2-azido-2-deoxy-altrosides 11 and 13 , respectively, and the 3-azido-3-deoxy-glucosides 12 and 14 , respectively (Scheme 4 and 5). Reaction of 7 and 8 with TPP/DEAD/HN₃ or p-nitrobenzoic acid afforded methyl 2,3-anhydro-4-azido-6-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-4-deoxy-α- and -β-D -gulopyranoside ( 15 and 17 ), respectively, or methyl 2,3-anhydro-6-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-4-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-α- and -β-D -gulopyranoside ( 16 and 18 ), respectively, without any opening of the oxirane ring (s. Scheme 6). - The 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-glucosides 19a and 20a react with TPP/DEAD alone to form the corresponding methyl 2-acetamido-3,4-anhydro-6-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-2-deoxy-galactopyranosides ( 21 and 22 ) in a yield of 80 and 85%, respectively (Scheme 7). With TPP/DEAD/HN₃ 20a is transformed to methyl 2-acetamido-3-azido-6-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-2,3-didesoxy-β-D -allopyranoside ( 25 , Scheme 8). By this way methyl 2-acetamido-3,6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-α-D -glucopyranoside ( 19b ) yields methyl 2-acetamido-4-azido-3,6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-2,4-dideoxy-α-D -galactopyranoside ( 23 ; 16%) and the isomerized product methyl 2-acetamido-4,6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-2-deoxy-α-D -glucopyranoside ( 19d ; 45%). Under the same conditions the disilylated methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-glucoside 20b leads to methyl 2-acetamido-4-azido-3,6-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-2,4-dideoxy-β-D -galactopyranoside ( 24 ). - All Structures were assigned by ¹H-NMR. analysis of the corresponding acetates.     

Alkaloid studies. VI. lithium aluminum hydride reduction of apoyohimbine and the synthesis of 3,4,5,6-tetradehydroyohimbane-16-methanols

Catalytic reduction of apoyohimbine ( 1 ), prepared from yohimbine and thionyl chloride in pyridine, gives methyl yohimbane-16α-carboxylate ( 2 ) after equilibration with methoxide. LAH reduction of 2 or β-yohimbine O-tosylate ( 3 ) gives yohimbane-16α-methanol ( 4a ). LAH reduction of 1 affords yohimbane-16α-carboxaldehyde ( 5 ), yohimb-16-ene-16-methanol ( 6a ) and yohimbane-16β-methanol ( 7a ). Structural assignments 6a and 7a are confirmed by mass spectral measurements. Pmr spectra of 4a, 6a and 7a and their O-acetates 4b, 6b and 7b are discussed. LAH reduction of apo-α-yohimbine ( 8 ) affords alloyohimb-16-ene-16-methanol ( 9 ). Dehydrogenation of 4a with palladium black and maleic acid gives 3,5,4,5,6-tetradehydroyohimbane-16α-methanol ( 10 ) iodide, and 7a gives 3,4,5,6-tetradehydroyohimbane-16β-methanol ( 11 ) iodide and picrate. Properties of 10 and 11 differ from those of melinonine E.     

Stereospecific synthesis of the (3aα,11α,12aα)-decahydrobenzo[a]pyrrolo[3,2-g]quinolizine ring system

A stereospecific synthesis of racemic (3aα,11bα,12aβ)-1,2,3,3a,4,6,7,11b,12,12a-decahydro-9-methoxy-1-(methylsulfonyl)benzo[α]pyrrolo[3,2-g]quinolizine (2) is reported. Cyclocondensation of lithiated pyrrolecarboxamide 5 and dihydroisoquinoline 6 afforded the key tetracyclic intermediate 7 . Hydrogenation of 7 gave the 3aα,11bα,12aα-isomer 9 which was subsequently converted to 2 .     

New Acetylcholinesterase‐Inhibitory Pregnane Glycosides of Cynanchum atratum Roots

Three new pregnane glycosides, cynatroside A ( 1 ), cynatroside B ( 2 ), and cynatroside C ( 3 ), isolated from the roots of Cynanchum atratum (Asclepiadaceae), were characterized as 7β‐{[O‐α‐L ‐cymaropyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐β‐D ‐digitoxopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐oleandropyranosyl]oxy}‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,10,10a‐decahydro‐6α‐hydroxy‐4b‐ methyl‐2‐(2‐methyl‐3‐furyl)phenanthren‐1(2H)‐one ( 1 ), 7β‐{[O‐β‐D ‐cymaropyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐diginopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐cymaropyranosyl]oxy}‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,10,10a‐decahydro‐2,6α‐dihydroxy‐4b‐methyl‐2‐(2‐methyl‐3‐furyl)phenanthren‐1(2H)‐one ( 2 ), and 7β‐{[O‐α‐L ‐cymaropyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐β‐D ‐digitoxopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐L ‐cymaropyranosyl]oxy}‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,10,10a‐decahydro‐2,6α‐dihydroxy‐4b‐methyl‐2‐(2‐methyl‐3‐furyl)phenanthren‐1(2H)‐one ( 3 ), respectively. In addition, ten known constituents were identified, i.e., cynascyroside D ( 4 ), glaucoside C ( 5 ), glaucoside D ( 6 ), atratoside A ( 7 ), 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone ( 8 ), 4‐hydroxyacetophenone ( 9 ), syringic acid ( 10 ), azelaic acid ( 11 ), suberic acid ( 12 ), and succinic acid ( 13 ). Among these compounds, 1 – 4 significantly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity.     

The reactions of perfluoro- and α,α-dichloropolyfluoroalkanesulfinates

Sodium perfluoroalkanesulfinate, R_FSO₂Na [R_F?Cl(CF₂)₄, 1a; CF₃(CF₂)₅, 1b; Cl(CF₃)₆, 1c] reacted with bromine in aqueous solution to give the corresponding sulfonyl bromide R_FSO₂Br (2a-2c) and in acetonitrile or acetic acid, to form perfluoroalkyl bromide R_FBr (3a-3c). Heating in acetonitrile at 80°C, 2a-2c were converted smoothly into 3a-3c. However, reaction of sodium α,α-dichloropolyfluoroalkanesulfinate RCCl₂SO₂Na (R?CF₃, Cl(CF₂)n, n=2, 4, 6, 5a-5d) with bromine in aqueous solution gave directly the corresponding bromoalkanes 1-bromo-1,1-dichloropolyfluoroalkane RCCl₂Br (6a-6d). In aqueous potassium iodide solution, 1a-1c, 5a and 5b also reacted with iodine to form the corresponding iodo-polyfluoroalkane 4a-4c, 7a and 7b directly. 6a and 7a underwent free radical addition to alkene readily in the presence of free radical initiator and reacted with Na₂S₂O₄ in the usual way to form α,α-dichloropolyfluoroethane sulfinate (5a). 5a was stable in strong acid, but reacted with strong base to yield 10. 5a was oxidised by hydrogen peroxide to the sulfonate 11 and reduced by zinc in dilute acid to from the α-chloro sulfinate 12.     

Synthesis of Novel Pyrimido[4,5‐b]quinolin‐4‐ones with Potential Antitumor Activity

The 5,6,7,8,9,10‐hexahydro‐2‐methylthiopyrimido[4,5‐b]quinolines 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d and their oxidized forms 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d were obtained from the reaction of 6‐amino‐2‐(methylthio)pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one 2 or 6‐amino‐3‐methyl‐2‐(methylthio)pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one 3 and α,β‐unsaturated ketones 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d using BF₃.OEt₂ as catalyst and p‐chloranil as oxidizing agent. Some of the new compounds were evaluated in the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), where compound 5a presented remarkable activity against 46 cancer cell lines, with the most important GI₅₀ values ranging from 0.72 to 18.4 μM from in vitro assays.     

Intriguing Influence of the Solvent on the Regioselectivity of Sulfoxide Thermolysis in β‐Amino‐α‐sulfinyl Esters

The sulfoxide thermolysis of the diastereoisomeric methyl (3R,4aS,10aR)‐6‐methoxy‐1‐methyl‐3‐(phenylsulfinyl)‐1,2,3,4,4a,5,10,10a‐octahydrobenzo[g]quinoline‐3‐carboxylates 3a and 3′b in toluene yields, by loss of benzenesulfenic acid, an almost 1 : 1 mixture of the vinylogous urethane 2b and the isomeric α‐aminomethyl enoate 2a . When this elimination is performed in acetic acid, the enoate 2a is formed rather selectively. The same solvent effects on the regioselectivity of the elimination of benzenesulfenic acid are observed with a simple sulfoxide of ethyl piperidine‐3‐carboxylate ( 7 ).     

A convenient synthesis of (z)-3-(α-alkoxycarbonyl-α-cyanomethylene)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalines and related compounds

(Z)-3-(α-Alkoxycarbonyl-α-cyanomethylene)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalines 3 and (Z)-3-(α-alkoxycarbonyl-α-cyanomethylene)-3,4-dihydrobenzo[g]quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones 5 possessing various alkoxycarbonyl groups were prepared in good yields directly from the reaction of dialkyl (E)-2,3-dicyanobutendioates 1 with o-phenylenediamine ( 2 ) or with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene ( 4 ), respectively. Furthermore, 2,3-diaminopyridine ( 6 ) and 3,4-diaminopyridine ( 7 ) were reacted with the diethyl ester 1b to give (Z)-2-(α-cyano-α-ethoxycarbonylmethylene)-1,2-dihydro-4H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-3-one ( 8 ) and (Z)-3-(α-cyano-α-ethoxycarbonylmethylene)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazin-2-one ( 9 ), respectively. The structural studies of 3, 5, 8 , and 9 were carried out by nmr experiments in some details.     

Synthesis of Optically Active 1‐(1‐Phenylethyl)‐1H‐imidazoles Derived from 1‐Phenylethylamine

The three‐component reaction of (R)‐ or (S)‐1‐phenylethylamine ( 6 ), formaldehyde, and an α‐(hydroxyimino) ketone 5 , i.e., 3‐(hydroxyimino)butan‐2‐one ( 5a ) or 2‐(hydroxyimino)‐1,2‐diphenylethanone ( 5b ), yields the corresponding enantiomerically pure 1‐(1‐phenylethyl)‐1H‐imidazole 3‐oxide 7 in high yield (Schemes 2 and 3). The reactions are carried out either in MeOH or in AcOH. Smooth transformations of the N‐oxides into optically active 1‐(1‐phenylethyl)‐1H‐imidazoles 10 and 2,3‐dihydro‐1‐(1‐phenylethyl)‐1H‐imidazole‐2‐thiones 11 are achieved by treatment of 7 with Raney‐Ni and 2,2,4,4‐tetramethyl‐3‐thioxocyclobutanone ( 12 ), respectively (Scheme 4).     

Stereoselective synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine α- and β-D-ribonucleosides from anomerically pure D-ribofuranosyl chlorides: Solid-Liquid Phase-Transfer Glycosylation and 15N-NMR Spectra

Solid-liquid phase-transfer glycosylation (KOH, tris[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethye]amine ( = TDA-1), MeCN) of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines such as 3a and 3b with an equimolar amount of 5-O-[(1,1 -dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-2,3-O-(1-methylethylidene)-α-D -ribofuranosyl chloride (1) [6] gave the protected β-D -nucleosides 4a and 4b , respectively, stereoselectively (Scheme). The β-D -anomer 2 [6] yielded the corresponding α-D -nucleosides 5a and 5b with traces of the β-D -compounds. The 6-substituted 7-deazapurine nucleosides 6a , 7a , and 8 were converted into tubercidin (10) or its α-D -anomer (11) . Spin-lattice relaxation measurements of anomeric ribonucleosides revealed that T₁ values of H? C(8) in the α-D -series are significantly increased compared to H? C(8) in the β-D -series while the opposite is true for T₁ of H? C(1′). ¹⁵N-NMR data of 6-substituted 7-deazapurine D -ribofuranosides were assigned and compared with those of 2′-deoxy compounds. Furthermore, it was shown that 7-deaza-2′deoxyadenosine ( = 2′-deoxytubercidin; 12 ) is protonated at N(1), whereas the protonation site of 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine ( 20 ) is N(3).     

Conformations of the Ten-membered Ring in 5, 10-Secosteroids. III: (Z)-3β- and (Z)-3α-Hydroxy-5, 10-seco-1 (10)-cholesten-5-one Esters and (Z)-5, 10-seco-1 (10)-Cholestene-3, 5-dione

(Z)-3β-Acetoxy- and (Z)-3 α-acetoxy-5, 10-seco-1 (10)-cholesten-5-one ( 6a ) and ( 7a ) were synthesized by fragmentation of 3β-acetoxy-5α-cholestan-5-ol ( 1 ) and 3α-acetoxy-5β-cholestan-5-ol ( 2 ), respectively, using in both cases the hypoiodite reaction (the lead tetraacetate/iodine version). The 3β-acetate 6a was further transformed, via the 3β-alcohol 6d to the corresponding (Z)-3β-p-bromobenzoate ester 6b and to (Z)-5, 10-seco-1 (10)-cholestene-3, 5-dione ( 8 ) (also obtainable from the 3α-acetate 7a ). The ¹H-and ¹³C-NMR. spectra showed that the (Z)-unsaturated 10-membered ring in all three compounds ( 6a , 7a and 8 ) exists in toluene, in only one conformation of type C ₁, the same as that of the (Z)-3β-p-bromobenzoate 6b in the solid state found by X-ray analysis. The unfavourable relative spatial factors (interdistance and mutual orientation) of the active centres in conformations of type C ₁ are responsible for the absence of intramolecular cyclizations in the (Z)-ketoesters 6 and 7 ( a and c ).     

Synthesis and Conformation of Star‐Shaped Poly(γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate)s on a Cyclotriphosphazene Core

The preparation of star‐shaped poly(γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate)s by the ring‐opening polymerization of N‐carboxy anhydride γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate (BLG‐NCA) with hexakis(4‐aminomethylphenoxy)‐ ( 4 ) and hexakis(4‐aminophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazenes ( 6 ), and the conformation of resulting polymers has been studied. The six amino groups in 4 can initiate the polymerization of BLG‐NCA to give star‐shaped polyglutamates ( 7 ) with narrow molecular weight distributions (M _w/M _n = 1.10–1.33). For the polymerization of BLG‐NCA with 6 , however, a high ratio of [BLG‐MCA]/[ 6 ] was required to obtain star‐shaped polyglutamates ( 8 ). The conformation of 7 changed from a β‐sheet form to a right‐handed α‐helix form, depending on the degree of polymerization per chain (DP _n/6). The helix content of hexa‐armed poly (γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate‐co‐L ‐glutamic acid)s ( 9 ), prepared by partial hydrolysis of 7 , increased significantly compared with that of the corresponding linear analogue ( 10 ). As increasing of helix content of 9 , the fluorescence spectra of 8‐anilino‐1‐naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS), a fluorescence probe, shifted to a short wavelength accompanied by the enhancement of intensity, suggesting that star‐shaped polymers are liable to form hydrophobic domains. From these results and the structural feature of the cyclotriphosphazene core, the formation of a 3α‐helix bundle structure of polyglutamates on both sides of the phosphazene ring has been suggested.

     

8α,9α-Epoxy-7-oxoroyleanon,ein Diterpen-Epoxychinon aus einer abessinischen Plectranthus-Art (Labiatae)

8α,9α-Epoxy-7-oxoroleyanone, a Diterpenoid Epoxyquinone from an Abyssinian Plectranthus Species (Labiatae) Reexamination of the title plant, in additon to the previously identified abietanoid hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinones 1a, 1b, 1c, 1e, 1f, 1g , and 1h , yielded the known 7α-acetoxyroleanone ( = 7-O-acetylhorminone; 1d ) and the novel 8α, 9α-epoxy-7-oxoroyleanone ( 2a ). Spectroscopic methods, partial synthesis by epoxidation of 7-oxoroyleanone ( 1h ), and chiroptical correlation establish the structure 2a . Royleanone 2a is the first diterpenoid epoxyquinone isolated so far. Moreover, a detailed ¹³C-NMR analysis of the royleanones 1b, 1c, 1e, 1g , and 1h lead to the complete assignment of their spectra.     

Additionsreaktionen von 2-Amino-1-azetinen mit Cyclopropenonen; Bildung von Azepinderivaten durch Ringerweiterung. Vorläufige Mitteilung

Addition Reactions of 2-Amino-1-azetines with Cyclopropenones; Formation of Azepine Derivatives by Ring Expansion Reactions The reaction of 2-amino-1-azetines of type 6 with 2,3-diphenylcyclopropenone ( 1a ) in acetonitrile leads to azetol[1,2-α]pyrroles (cf. 7 and 9 , Schemes 3 and 4) in good yield. It is remarkable that in the reaction of 6a with 1a only endo- 7 is formed. With silicagel in ether endo- 7 isomerizes to the thermodynamically more stable exo- 7 (Schemes 3 and 6). The crystal structure of the latter compound has been established by X-ray crystallography. The reaction of 6a and 2-isopropyl-3-phenyl-cyclopropenone ( 1b ) yields only one product, which isomerizes with silicagel in ether to exo- 10 (Scheme 4). The structure of exo- 10 has been determined by NMR-spectroscopy. It seems reasonable that this structure results from a nucleophilic attack of the four-membered amidine to the phenyl-substituted C-atom of 1b.     

On the behavior of α-brominated dimethyl o-benzenediacetate toward nitrogen nucleophiles . Part I. Reaction of dimethyl α,α'-dibromo o-benzenediacetate with hydrazines

Meso- ( 1a ) and racemic dimethyl α,α'-dibromo o-benzenediacetate ( 1b ) when condensed with hydrazine and methylhydrazine furnished respectively 1,3-dicarbomethoxyisoindole ( 5a ) and its N-methyl derivative ( 5b ). Reaction of phenylhydrazine with 1a led to the N-phenylisoindole ( 5c ) and to the N-anilino isoindoline ( 6 ) as the cis isomer; conversely, 1b was transformed into a mixture of the 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophthalazine ( 7 ), the trans isomer of ( 6 ), the N-anilinoisoindole ( 5d ) and dimethyl α-(N'-phenylhydrazino)-o-benzenediacetate ( 8 ). Compounds 1a and 1b were also condensed with acetylhydrazine to give a mixture of the N-acetylaminoisoindoline ( 12 ) and of the 2-acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophthalazine ( 13 ).     

Biosynthese der Verrucarine und Roridine. Teil 5. Synthese von zwei Diastereoisomerenpaaren des [1,8-14C]-α-Bisabolols und Versuche zu deren Einbau in Verrucarol Verrucarine und Roridine, 32. Mitteilung [1]

The diastereoisomeric (+)-[1,8-¹⁴C]-(1'R,6R, S)-α-bisabolol ( 2a ) and (?)-[1,8-¹⁴C]-(1′S, 6R, S)-α-bisabolol ( 2b ) were synthesized by reaction of the Grignard compound of [1,6-¹⁴C]-5-bromo-2-methyl-2-pentene ( 12 ) with (+)-(R)- and (?)-(S)-4-acetyl-1-methyl-1-cyclohexene, ( 6a ) and ( 6b ) respectively. For the preparation of compound 12, cyclopropyl methyl ketone was treated with [¹⁴C]-methyl magnesium iodide to form the carbinol 11, which was cleaved by HBr. Compounds 6a and 6b were synthesized from (+)-(R)- and (?)-(S)-limonene, ( 4a ) and ( 4b ), via the derivatives 5a , 6a and 5b , 6b respectively. - This synthesis established the absolute configuration at C(1′) of the natural α-bisabolols: (R) for (+)-α-bisabolol and (S) for (?)-α-bisabolol. - Feeding experiments with cultures of Myrothecium roridum and radioactive (+)-(1′R, 6R, S)- and (?)-(1′S, 6R, S)-α-bisabolol ( 2a ) and ( 2b ) gave negative results. These findings indicate that bisabolane derivatives are not intermediates in the biosynthesis of verrucarol (3).     

Reaktionen mit phosphororganischen Verbindungen. XLII. Nucleophile Substitutionen an Hydroxysteroiden mit Hilfe von Triphenylphosphan/Azodicarbonsäureester

Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions of Hydroxysteroids using Triphenylphosphane/diethylazodicarboxylate Nucleophilic substitution reactions by means of the title reagent on various more or less hindered steroid alcohols with suitable nucleophils in benzene is described. It was not possible to run this substitution process in the hitherto used solvent THF. Cholestan-3α-ol ( 1 ) was transformed to the 3β-substituted products 3β-benzoyloxy-cholestane ( 1a ) and 3β-azido-cholestane ( 1b ). Testosterone ( 2 ) affords with the corresponding nucleophils after short heating in benzene the inverted 17α-substituted products 3a, 3b and 3c . Analogously the 17α-azido-derivative 5a arises from 17β-hydroxy-androst-3-on ( 4 ). In the presence of a ketogroup in the substrate a competitive reaction can occur as it is shown in the case of cholestan-3-on ( 6 ): the products are the en-hydrazo-dicarboxylate-steroids 7a and 7b . The sterically very hindered 11α-position in 11α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dion ( 8 ) can be transformed also to the 11β-azide 9a . The substitution of a 6 β-hydroxy group in androstane-3β, 6β, 17β-triol-3,17-diacetate ( 10 ) to the 6α-azide 11a affords the elimination product 12 as main component. Trans-diaxial vicinal diols such as cholestane-2β,3α-diol ( 13 ) give a mixture of the α- and β-oxiranes 14a and 14b .