Preparative isolation and separation of a novel and two known flavonoids from Patrinia villosa Juss by high-speed counter-current chromatography

Preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was successfully used for isolation and separation three flavonoids including bolusanthol B, a novel compound named 5,7,2',6'-tetrahydroxy-6,8-di(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl) flavanone and tetrapterol I from Patrinia villosa Juss using two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water at the volume ratio of 10:11:11:8 (v/v). A total of 25.4 mg bolusanthol B, 52.5 mg 5,7,2',6'-tetrahydroxy-6,8-di(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl) flavanone and 50.2 mg tetrapterol I were obtained from 250 mg crude extract with purities of 96.8%, 99.2% and 99.3%, respectively determined by HPLC in one single operation and less than 5 h. The structure identification was performed by UV, IR, MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D NMR. Among then, bolusanthol B and tetrapterol I were obtained from the plant of Patrinia genius for the first time, and 5,7,2',6'-tetrahydroxy-6,8-di(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl) flavanone was a novel prenylated flavonoid and discovered from nature for the first time.     

New condensed indoline bis-spiropyrans

The synthesis of new condensed indoline bis-spiropyrans from isomeric hexamethyldihydroindolo-[4,5-e]-and -[7,6-g]indoles, and also from hexamethyldihydrobenzo[e]pyrrolo[3,2-g]indole in three stages has been generalized. By condensation of the isomeric bis-analogs of Fischer's bases obtained at the second stage with salicylic aldehydes, the following bis-spiro compounds have been synthesized: 6,6"-dinitro-, 6,6",8,8"-tetranitro-, 6,6",8,8"-tetrabromo-1',3',3',6',8',8'-hexamethyldispiro[chromene-2,2'-indolino[7,6-g]indoline-7',2"-chromenes], 6,6"-dinitro-, 6,6",8,8"-tetranitro-, 6,6",8,8"-tetrabromo-1',1',3',8',10',10'-hexamethyldispiro[chromene-2,2'-indolino[4,5-e]indoline-9',2"-chromenes], 6,6"-di-nitro-, 6,6"-dibromo-, and 6,6",8,8"-tetrabromo-1',1',8,8'-tetramethyl-1',4',5',8'-tetrahydrodispiro-[chromene-2,2'-dipyrrolo[1,2,3-d,e:3,2,1-i,j]benzo[g]quinoxaline-7',2"-chromenes].     

Phenolic constituents of licorice. VIII. Structures of glicophenone and glicoisoflavanone, and effects of licorice phenolics on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Two new phenolic compounds, glicophenone (1) and glicoisoflavanone (2), were isolated from commercial licorice, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Antibacterial assays of licorice phenolics for Staphylococcus aureus, including four strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and also for Escherichia coli K12 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, were then examined. Two compounds among them, 8-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)-wighteone (21) and 3'-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)-kievitone (28), showed remarkable antibacterial effects [minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), 8 microg/ml on the MRSA strains and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Licochalcone A (14), gancaonin G (20), isoangustone A (24), glyasperins C (30) and D (31), glabridin, (32), licoricidin (33), glycycoumarin (34) and licocoumarone (40) showed antibacterial effects on the MRSA strains with MIC values of 16 microg/ml. Effects on the beta-lactam resistance of the MRSA strains were also examined, and licoricidin (33) noticeably decreased the resistance of the MRSA strains against oxacillin, as shown by the reduction in the MICs of oxacillin (lower than 1/128-1/1000 in the presence of 8 microg/ml of 33, and 1/8-1/32 in the presence of 4 microg/ml of 33). Mechanistic study suggested that 33 does not inhibit the formation of penicillin-binding protein 2' (PBP2'), but affects the enzymatic function of PBP2'.     

Identification and biological activity of microbial metabolites of xanthohumol

Microbial transformation of xanthohumol using the culture broth of Cunninghamella echinulata NRRL 3655 afforded (2S)-8-[4"-hydroxy-3"-methyl-(2"-Z)-butenyl]-4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (5) and (2S)-8-[5"-hydroxy-3"-methyl-(2"-E)-butenyl]-4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (6). Xanthohumol (1) and flavanone 6 as well as (E)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":4',3']-2',4-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone (2), (2S)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":7,8]-4'-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (3) obtained with Pichia membranifaciens showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.     

Synthesis of new condensed derivatives of pyrano[4,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]thieno[3,2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>]pyridine and pyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[3,2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>]pyrimidine

The reactions of 2-methyl (propyl) substituted 8,8-dimethyl-7,10-dihydro-4H,8H-pyrano[3",4":5',6']pyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[3,2-d][1,3]oxazines with primary amines give 2-methyl (propyl) substituted 8,8-di- methyl-7,10-dihydro-8H-pyrano[3",4":5',6']pyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[3,2-d][1,3]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones or 3-acetyl-N-alkyl- and N-alkyl-3-butyrylamino-7,7-dimethyl-7,8-dihydro-5H-pyrano[4,3-b]thieno[3,2-e]- pyridine-2-carboxamides depending on steric hindrance in the amines.     

TiO2纳米颗粒对钌(II)三联吡啶配合物光损伤小牛胸腺DNA能力的影响

由于极短的激发态寿命, 钌(II)三联吡啶配合物对脱氧核糖核酸(DNA)的光损伤能力低下. 设计合成了三个钌(II)三联吡啶配合物[Ru(ttp)(tpy)]^2＋ (1), [Ru(ttp-COOH)(tpy)]^2＋ (2)和[Ru(ttp-COOH)(tpy-pyr)]^2＋ (3), 其中tpy为2,2':6',2"-三联吡啶, ttp为4′-(4-甲苯基)-2,2':6',2"-三联吡啶, ttp-COOH为4′-(4-羧基苯基)-2,2':6',2"-三联吡啶, tpy-pyr为4'-(1-芘基)-2,2':6',2"-三联吡啶. 比较了TiO₂纳米颗粒对它们光损伤小牛胸腺DNA的影响. 发现TiO₂纳米颗粒在空气和氩气条件下均可显著提高配合物3光损伤DNA的能力. TiO₂纳米颗粒和配合物3间的光诱导电子转移作用及其该作用生成的钌(III)物种可能是促进配合物3对DNA光损伤的主要原因.     

First Total Synthesis of (±)-Ponganone Ⅲ

In recent years, the synthesis and pharmacology of pyranoflavanoids have been extensively investigated due to their wide range of pharmacological properties^[1-3]. Ponganone Ⅲ^[4],a new natural pyranoflavanone isolated from the Pongamia pinnala, was identified as (2S)-3',4'-dimethoxy-6',6"-dimethylpyrano-[2",3":7,8]-flavanone (2) on the basis of spectra data. Its precursor,3,4-dimethoxy-2'-hydroxy-6",6"-dimethylchromeno-[2",3":4',3']-chalcone (1) is also a new natural product^[5] isolated from the roots of Lonchocarpus subglaucescent. Their total synthesis have not been reported. Herein, we wish to report the first total synthesis of compounds 1 and 2 in order to confirm the proposed structure and further more to evaluate its biological activities.     

A two step facile synthesis of new steroidal linear and angular pyranones having anti-mycobacterial activity

Title compounds 2′,2′-dimethylcholesta-2,4-dien[3,2-b]-pyran-4′-one(3),2′,2′-dimethyl-3β-substituted cholesta-4,6-dien[7,6- b]-pyran-4′-one(6a,b)and(6c)were prepared by the cyclization of 2-acetylcholesta-2,4-dien-3-ol(2),6-acetyl-3β-substituted- cholesta-4,6-dien-7-ol(5a,b)and(5c)respectively,with pyrrolidine,dry benzene and dry acetone using Dean Stark separator through conventional heating.Furthermore,compounds were also found to be active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

A new anticancer dihydroflavanoid from the root of Spiranthes australis (R. Brown) Lindl

A new dihydroflavanoid was obtained from the root of Spiranthes australis (R. Brown) Lindl, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. The structure was elucidated as (2S)-5,2',6'-trihydroxy-6-lavandulyl-4'-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)-2',2'-dimethylpyrano-[5',6' : 7,8]-flavanone by spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, HR-EI-MS, ESI-MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR techniques, and subsequently, the anticancer activities of the compound to inhibit human cancer cells' growth including A549, BEL-7402, SGC-7901, MCF-7, HT-29, K562, and A498 cell lines by MTT method was evaluated in vitro.     

Polymorphism and spin crossover in mononuclear Fe(II) species containing new dipyridylamino-substituted s-triazine ligands

Four new dipyridylamino-substituted s-triazine ligands DBB (N(2),N(2),N(4),N(4)-tetrabenzyl-N(6),N(6)-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine), DDB (N(2),N(2),N(4),N(4)-tetrabutyl-N(6),N(6)-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine), DCCl (6-chloro-N(2),N(2)-dicyclohexyl-N(4),N(4)-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and DDT (N(2),N(2),N(4),N(4)-tetraphenyl-N(6),N(6)-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine), have been incorporated into eight new, 0D Fe(II) compounds of type [Fe(II)(NCX)(2)(L)(2)]·Solvent (where NCX = NCS(-), NCSe(-) or N(CN)(2)(-)). The polymorphic compounds α-trans-[Fe(II)(NCS)(2)(DBB)(2)] (1) and β-trans-[Fe(II)(NCS)(2)(DBB)(2)] (2) display, respectively, a relatively abrupt, complete, one-step spin transition with T(?) ~ 170 K, and a more gradual, complete, one-step spin transition with T(?) ~ 300 K. Gradual, one-step spin transitions are observed for trans-[Fe(II)(N(CN)(2))(2)(DBB)(2)]·2CH(3)CH(2)OH (3) and trans-[Fe(II)(NCSe)(2)(DCCl)(2)]·2CH(3)OH (6) with T(?) ~ 280 K for both, while the one-step spin transition observed for a desolvated sample of trans-[Fe(II)(NCSe)(2)(DDB)(2)]·2CH(3)OH (4) is relatively abrupt, showing hysteresis with T(?↑) = 285 K and T(?↓) = 275 K. The compounds cis-[Fe(II)(NCS)(2)(DDB)(2)] (5) and trans-[Fe(II)(NCS)(2)(DDT)(2)]·4CH(2)Cl(2) (7) remain high spin, while structural data on trans-[Fe(II)(NCSe)(2)(DDT)(2)]·4CH(2)Cl(2) (8) suggests a spin transition at low temperatures. It is likely that distortion of the Fe(II)N(6) octahedron, intermolecular interactions and molecular conformation are crucial in deciding both the T(?) and abruptness of the spin transition for these species, although the nature of their influence varies. Variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction measurements on the polymorphs 1 and 2 reveal anisotropy in the unit cell parameters as the spin transition occurs.     

Trinuclear Metal Complexes Based on 1,10-Phenanthroline Derivates as Catalysts for Cleavage of a RNA-Model Substrate

Two multidentate ligands 2,9-di[6'-(2″-hydroxyl-3″-methoxyphenyl)-n-2',5'-diazahexyl]-1,10-phenanthroline(LA)and 2,9-di(6'-α-phenol-n-2',5'-diazahexyl)-1,10-phenanthroline(LB)were synthesized and fully characterized.Protonation of the ligands and the stability of the complexes of the ligands with divalent metal ions were investigated.The trinuclear metal complexes [Cu(Ⅱ)and Zn(Ⅱ)] of the ligands were studied,as catalysts,for the transphosphorylation of the RNA-model substrate 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate(HPNP).The second-order rate constants of HPNP-hydrolysis catalyzed by M3L and M3LH-1 were obtained,which indicated that Zn3LBH-1 was the most efficient catalyst among them.The proposed mechanisms included the activation of the substrate via binding to the metal ions and intramolecular nucleophilic attack by the deprotonated C2-hydroxyl of HPNP.     

Extreme electronic modulation of the cofacial porphyrin structural motif

The synthesis, electrochemistry, and optical spectroscopy of an extensive series of cofacial bis[(porphinato)zinc(II)] compounds are reported. These species were synthesized using sequential palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling and cobalt-mediated [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions. This modular methodology enables facile control of the nature of macrocycle-to-macrocycle connectivity and allows unprecedented modulation of the redox properties of face-to-face porphyrin species. We report the synthesis of 5,6-bis[(5',5'-10',20'-bis[4-(3-methoxy-3-methylbutoxy)phenyl]porphinato)zinc(II)]indane (1), 5,6-bis[(2'-5',10',15',20'-tetraphenylporphinato)zinc(II)]indane (2), 5-([2'-5',10',15',20'-tetraphenylporphinato]zinc(II))-6-[(5"-10',20'-bis[4-(3-methoxy-3-methylbutoxy)phenyl]porphinato)zinc(II)]indane (3), 5-([2'-5',10',15',20'-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)porphinato]zinc(II))-6-[(5' '-10' ',20' '-bis[4-(3-methoxy-3-methylbutoxy)phenyl]porphinato)zinc(II)]indane (4), 5-(2'-5',10',15',20'-[tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)porphinato]zinc(II))-6-[(2'-5',10',15',20'-tetraphenylporphinato)zinc(II)]indane (5), 5,6-bis([2'-5',15'-diphenyl-10',20'-(trifluoromethyl)porphinato]zinc(II))indane (6), and 5,6-bis([2'-5',10',15',20'-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)porphinato]zinc(II))indane (7); 4-7 define the first examples of cofacial bis[(porphinato)metal] compounds in which sigma-electron-withdrawing perfluoroalkyl groups serve as macrocycle substituents, while 2, 6, and 7 constitute the first such structures that possess a beta-to-beta linkage topology. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that the electrochemically determined HOMO and LUMO energy levels of these cofacial bis(porphinato) complexes can be lowered by 780 and 945 mV, respectively, relative to the archetypal members of this class of compounds; importantly, these orbital energy levels can be modulated over well-defined increments throughout these wide potentiometric domains. Analyses of these cofacial bis[(porphinato)metal] potentiometric data, in terms of the absolute and relative frontier orbital energies of their constituent [porphinato]zinc(II) building blocks, as well as the nature of macrocycle-to-macrocycle connectivity, provide predictive electronic structural models that rationalize the redox behavior of these species.     

Reactions of phthalazine, quinazoline, 4,7-phenanthroline and 2,3'-bipyridine with ruthenium carbonyl

The reactions of [Ru(3)(CO)(12)] with four aromatic diazines have been studied in THF at reflux temperature. With phthalazine (L(1)), the compound [Ru(3)(μ-κ(2)N(2)N(3)-L(1))(μ-CO)(3)(CO)(7)] (1), which contains an intact phthalazine ligand in an axial position bridging an Ru-Ru edge through both N atoms, is initially formed but it reacts with more phthalazine to give [Ru(3)(κN(2)-L(1))(μ-κ(2)N(2)N(3)-L(1))(μ-CO)(3)(CO)(6)] (2), in which a π-π stacking interaction between the aromatic rings of both ligands determines their position in cluster axial sites on the same face of the Ru(3) triangle. With quinazoline (HL(2)), the cyclometalated hydrido decacarbonyl derivative [Ru(3)(μ-H)(μ-κ(2)N(3)C(4)-L(2))(CO)(10)] (3) is initially produced but it partially decarbonylates under the reaction conditions to give [Ru(6)(μ-H)(2)(μ-κ(2)N(3)C(4)-L(2))(μ(3)-κ(3)-N(1)N(3)C(4)-L(2))(CO)(19)] (4), which results from the displacement of a CO ligand of 3 by the uncoordinated N(1) atom of another molecule of 3. With 4,7-phenanthroline (H(2)L(3)), the stepwise formation of the cyclometalated derivatives [Ru(3)(μ-H)(μ-κ(2)N(4)C(3)-HL(3))(CO)(10)] (5) and two isomers of [Ru(6)(μ-H)(2)(μ(4)-κ(4)N(4)C(3)N(7)C(8)-L(3))(CO)(20)] (6a, 6b) takes place. In compounds 6a and 6b, two Ru(3)(μ-H)(CO)(10) trinuclear units are symmetrically (C(2) in 6a or C(S) in 6b) bridged by a doubly-cyclometalated 4,7-phenanthroline ligand. With 2,3'-bipyridine (HL(4)), two products have been isolated, [Ru(3)(μ-H)(μ-κ(2)N(3')C(4')-L(4))(CO)(10)] (7) and [Ru(3)(μ-H)(μ-κ(3)N(2)N(3')C(2')-L(4))(CO)(9)] (8). While compound 7 contains an N(3')C(4')-cyclometalated 2,3'-bipyridine, in compound 8 an N(3')C(2')-cyclometalation is accompanied by the coordination of the N(2) atom of the remaining pyridine fragment. The structures of compounds 2, 3, 4, 6a and 8 have been determined by X-ray diffraction crystallography.     

Syntheses, structures, and electrochemical properties of platinum(II) complexes containing di-tert-butylbipyridine and crown ether annelated dithiolate ligands

A series of new platinum(II) complexes containing both 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dbbpy) and the extended tetrathiafulvalenedithiolate ligands have been prepared and characterized. These complexes include [Pt(dbbpy)(C8H4S8)] (1; C8H4S82- = 2-{(4,5-ethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(ptdt)] (2; ptdt = 2-{(4,5-cyclopentodithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(mtdt)] (3; mtdt = 2-{(4,5-methylethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(btdt)] (4; btdt = benzotetrathiafulvalenedithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(C8H6S8)] (5; C8H6S82- = 2-{4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(3O-C6S8)] (6; 3O-C6S82- = 2-{4,5-dithia-(3',6',9'-trioxaundecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), and [Pt(dbbpy)(4O-C6S8)] (7; 4O-C6S82- = 2-{4,5-dithia-(3',6',9',12'-tetraoxatetradecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate). The crystal structures of a new ligand precursor (2-[4,5-dithia-(3',6',9',12'-tetraoxatetradecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]-4,5-bis(2-cyanoethylsulfanyl)-1,3-dithiole, IIIc) and complexes 5-7 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1-7 show intense electronic absorption bands in the UV-vis region due to the intramolecular mixed metal/ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer transition, and they display significant solvatochromic behavior. Redox properties of these compounds have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and complex 7 shows a significant response for Na+ ions with a large positive shift of ca. 45 mV.     

Xanthones with antiproliferative effects on prostate cancer cells from the stem bark of Garcinia xanthochymus

Investigations of the constituents of the stem barks of Garcinia xanthochymus have yielded two new compounds, garcinenones X (1) and Y (2), along with five known xanthones, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (3), 1,4,6-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (4), 1,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy-7,8-di(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (5), 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-4,7,8-tri(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (6), and 1,5,6-trihydroxy-7,8-di(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6',6'dimethylpyrano(2',3':3,4)xanthone (7). The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. The cell growth inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds against the PC-3 cell line was measured. Among them, compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited significant inhibitory effects with IG50 values of 14.3, 15.5, 11.1, and 6.8 microM, respectively.     

Scrutinizing low-spin Cr(II) complexes

The oxidation state of the chromium center in the following compounds has been probed using a combination of chromium K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory: [Cr(phen)(3)][PF(6)](2) (1), [Cr(phen)(3)][PF(6)](3) (2), [CrCl(2)((t)bpy)(2)] (3), [CrCl(2)(bpy)(2)]Cl(0.38)[PF(6)](0.62) (4), [Cr(TPP)(py)(2)] (5), [Cr((t)BuNC)(6)][PF(6)](2) (6), [CrCl(2)(dmpe)(2)] (7), and [Cr(Cp)(2)] (8), where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, (t)bpy is 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine, and TPP(2-) is doubly deprotonated 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1, [Cr(phen)(3)][OTf](2) (1'), and 3 are reported. The X-ray absorption and computational data reveal that complexes 1-5 all contain a central Cr(III) ion (S(Cr) = (3)/(2)), whereas complexes 6-8 contain a central low-spin (S = 1) Cr(II) ion. Therefore, the electronic structures of 1-8 are best described as [Cr(III)(phen(?))(phen(0))(2)][PF(6)](2), [Cr(III)(phen(0))(3)][PF(6)](3), [Cr(III)Cl(2)((t)bpy(?))((t)bpy(0))], [Cr(III)Cl(2)(bpy(0))(2)]Cl(0.38)[PF(6)](0.62), [Cr(III)(TPP(3?-))(py)(2)], [Cr(II)((t)BuNC)(6)][PF(6)](2), [Cr(II)Cl(2)(dmpe)(2)], and [Cr(II)(Cp)(2)], respectively, where (L(0)) and (L(?))(-) (L = phen, (t)bpy, or bpy) are the diamagnetic neutral and one-electron-reduced radical monoanionic forms of L, and TPP(3?-) is the one-electron-reduced doublet form of diamagnetic TPP(2-). Following our previous results that have shown [Cr((t)bpy)(3)](2+) and [Cr(tpy)(2)](2+) (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) to contain a central Cr(III) ion, the current results further refine the scope of compounds that may be described as low-spin Cr(II) and reveal that this is a very rare oxidation state accessible only with ligands in the strong-field extreme of the spectrochemical series.     

Constituents of the Vietnamese medicinal plant Orthosiphon stamineus

From the MeOH extract of the aerial part of Vietnamese Orthosiphon stamineus, five new isopimarane-type diterpenes [orthosiphols F-J (1-5)] and two new diterpenes [staminols A (6) and B (7)] with a novel carbon-framework, to which we proposed the name "staminane", and three new highly-oxygenated staminane-type diterpenes [staminolactones A (8) and B (9) and norstaminol A (10)1 were isolated. Moreover, staminolactone A (8) is 8,14-secostaminane-type and staminolactone B (9) is 13,14-secostaminane-type, while norstaminol A (10) is 14-norstaminen-type. Together with these new diterpenes, sixteen known compounds were also isolated and identified to be: 7,3',4'-tri-O-methylluteolin (11), eupatorin (12), sinensetin (13), 5-hydroxy-6,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (14), salvigenin (15), ladanein (16), tetramethylscutellarein (17), 6-hydroxy-5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (18), vomifoliol (19), aurantiamide acetate (20), rosmarinic acid (21), caffeic acid (22), oleanolic acid (23), ursolic acid (24), betulinic acid (25), and beta-sitosterol (26). All the isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity towards highly liver metastatic murine colon 26-L5 carcinoma cells, and the new diterpenes, except for 4, and flavonoids (11, 12, 16, 18) showed cytotoxicity with an ED50 value between 10 and 90 microg/ml.     

Self-assembled light-harvesting systems: Ru(II) complexes assembled about Rh-Rh cores

Ru(II) polypyridine species have been assembled about dirhodium(II, II) tetracarboxylate cores. The complexes prepared have general formulas [{(terpy)Ru(La)}n{Rh2(CH3COO)4-n(CH3CN)2}]2n+ (a-type compounds: terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; La = 4'-(p-carboxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; n = 1, 1a; n = 2, cis-2a and trans-2a-cis and trans refer to the arrangement of the Ru(II) species around the dirhodium core; n = 3, 3a), [{(Lb)Ru(La)}n{Rh2(CH3COO)4-n(CH3CN)2}]2n+ (b-type compounds: Lb = 6-phenyl-2,4-di(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine; n = 1, 1b; n = 2, an inseparable mixture of cis-2b and trans-2b; n = 3, 3b; n = 4, 4b), and [{(terpy)Ru(Lc)}{Rh2(CH3COO)3(CH3CN)2}]2+ (1c; Lc = 6-(p-carboxyphenyl)-2,4-di(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine). As model species, also the mononuclear [(terpy)Ru(La)]2+ (5a), [(La)Ru(Lb)]2+ (5b), and [(terpy)Ru(Lc)]2+ (5c) have been prepared. All of the complexes have been characterized by several techniques, including NMR and mass spectra, and the stability of the various species is discussed. The absorption spectra of all of the compounds are dominated by the Ru(II) polypyridine moieties, showing intense ligand-centered (LC) bands in the UV region and intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands in the visible. The compounds exhibit several metal-centered oxidation and ligand-centered reduction processes, which have been assigned to specific subunits. Both absorption and redox data indicate a supramolecular nature of the assembled systems. Efficient energy transfer from the MLCT triplet state of the Ru-based components to the lowest-energy excited state of the dirhodium core takes place for the a-type compounds at 298 K in acetonitrile solution, whereas such a process is inefficient for the b-type and c-type species, which exhibit the typical MLCT emission. At 77 K in butyronitrile matrix, Ru-to-Rh2 energy transfer is partly efficient for both the a-type and the b-type compounds and is inefficient for 1c. The reasons for such behavior are discussed by taking into account arguments concerning the driving force and reorganization energy of the complexes.     

Prenylated isoflavones from Flemingia philippinensis

Two new prenylated isoflavones, named flemiphilippinins E and F, were isolated from the roots of Flemingia philippinensis, together with six known ones. The structures of the above compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. Flemiphilippinins E and F were identified as 5,4'-dihydroxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-6',6'-dimethyl-5'-(1,1-dimethylallyl) pyrano(2',3':7,6)isoflavone and 5,4'-dihydroxy-4',4',5'-trimethyl-4',5'-dihydrofurano(2',3':7,8) isoflavone, respectively, by a combination of HR-EI-MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectra.