Trennung und absolute Konfiguration der C(8)-epimeren (all-E)-Neochrome (Trollichrome) und -Dinochrome

Separation and Absolute Configuration of the C(8)-Epimeric (app-E)-Neochromes (Trollichromes) and -Dinochromes The C(8′)-epimers of (all-E)-neochrome were separated by HPLC and carefully characterized. The faster eluted isomer, m.p. 197.8–198.3°, is shown to have structure 3 ((3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-5′,8′-epoxy-6,7-dodehydro-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol). To the other isomer, m.p. 195-195.5°, we assign structure 6 , ((3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-5′,8′-epoxy-6,7-didehydro-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol). The already known epimeric dinochromes (= 3-O-acetylneochromes) can now be formulated as 4 and 5 , (‘epimer 1’ and its trimethylsilyl ether) and 7 and 8 , (‘epimer 2’ and its trimethylsilyl ether), respectively.     

Eine Suche nach 3′-Epilutein ( = (3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-Carotin-3,3′-diol) und 3′, O-Didehydrolutein (=(3R, 6′R)-3-Hydroxy-β,ε-carotin-3′-on) in Eigelb,in Blüten von Caltha palustris und in Herbstblättern

Search for the Presence in Egg Yolk, in Flowers of Caltha palustris and in Autumn Leaves of 3′-Epilutein ( =(3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-Carotene-3,3′-diol) and 3′,O-Didehydrolutein ( =(3R,6′R)-3-Hydroxy-β,ε-carotene-3′-one) 3′.O-Didehydrolutein ( =(3R, 6′R)-3-hydroxy-β,ε-carotene-3′-one; 2) has been detected in egg yolk and in flowers of Caltha palustris. This is the first record for its occurrence in a plant. The compound shows a remarkable lability towards base; therefore, it may have been overlooked til now, because it is destroyed under the usual conditions of saponification of the carotenoid-esters. One of the many products formed from 2 with 1% KOH in methanol has been purified and identified as the diketone 3 ( =(3R)-3-hydroxy-4′, 12′-retro-β,β-carotene-3′,12′-dione). The identification of this transformation product from lutein might throw a new light on the metabolism of this important carotenoid in green plants. 3′-Epilutein ( =(3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-carotene-3,3′-diol; 1) was not detected in egg yolk, but is present besides lutein in flowers of C. palustris, thus confirming an earlier report of the occurrence of an isomeric (possibly epimeric) lutein (‘calthaxanthin’) in that plant [21]. We were not able to detect even traces of 1 or 2 in the carotenoid fraction from autumn leaves of Prunus avium (cherry), Parrotia persica, Acer montanum (maple) and yellow needles of Larix europaea (larch). α-Cryptoxanthin (4) , a very rare carotenoid, was isolated in considerable quantity for the first time from flowers of C. palustris.     

Epoxidierung von Cucurbitaxanthin A: Herstellung von Cucurbitaxanthin B und seines 5′,6′-Epimeren

Epoxidation of Cucurbitaxanthin A: Preparation of Cucurbitaxanthin B and of Its 5′,6′-Epimer Cucurbitaxanthin A (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 1 ) isolated from red pepper (Capsicum annuum var. longum nigrum) was trimethylsiylated and then epoxidized with monoperphthalic acid. After deprotection and chromatographic separation, cucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R, 3′S,5′R,6′S)-3,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 2 ) and 5′,6′-diepicucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R, 3′S,5′S,6′R)-3,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 5 ) were obtained and carefully characterized. They show mirror-like CD spectra and, therefore, emphasize the importance of the torsion angle of C(6)–C(7) on the electronic interaction between the polyene chain and the chiral end group.     

Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol), ein neues Carotinoid aus Paprika (Capsicum annuum)

Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3.6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,5′-diol), a Novel Carotenoid from Red Paprika (Capsicum annuum) From red paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longum nigrum) cycloviolaxanthin was isolated as a minor carotenoid and, based on spectral data, assigned the symmetrical structure 8 .     

Absolute Konfiguration von Antheraxanthin, «cis-Antheraxantliirt» und der diastereomeren Mutatoxanthine

Absolute Configuration of Antheraxanthin, ‘cis-Aritheraxanthin’ and of the Stereoisomeric Mutatdxanthins The assignement of structure 2 to antheraxanthin (all-E)-(3 S, 5 R, 6 S, 3′ R)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol and of 1 to ‘cis-antheraxanthin’ (9Z)-(3 S, 5 R, 6 S, 3′ R)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol is based on chemical correlation with (3 R, 3′ R)-zeaxanthin and extensive ¹H-NMR. measurements at 400 MHz. ‘Semisynthetic antheraxanthin’ ( = ‘antheraxanthin B’) has structure 6 . For the first time the so-called ‘mutatoxanthin’, a known rearrangement product of either 1 or 2 , has been separated into pure and crystalline C(8)-epimers (epimer A of m.p. 213° and epimer B of m.p. 159°). Their structures were assigned by spectroscopical and chiroptical correlations with flavoxanthin and chrysanthemaxanthin. Epimer A is (3 S, 5 R, 8 S, 3′ R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol ( 4 ; = (8 S)mutatoxanthin) and epimer B is (3 S, 5 R, 8 R, 3′ R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol ( 3 ; = (8 R)-mutatoxanthin). The carotenoids 1 – 4 have a widespread occurrence in plants. We also describe their separation by HPLC. techniques. CD. spectra measured at room temperature and at ? 180° are presented for 1 – 4 and 6 . Antheraxanthin ( 2 ) and (9Z)-antheraxanthin ( 1 ) exhibit a typical conservative CD. The CD. Spectra also allow an easy differentiation of 6 from its epimer 2 . The isomeric (9Z)-antheraxanthin ( 1 ) shows the expected inversion of the CD. curve in the UV. range. The CD. spectra of the epimeric mutatoxanthins 3 and 4 (β end group) are dissimilar to those of flavoxanthin/chrysanthemaxanthin (ε end group). They allow an easy differentiation of the C (8)-epimers.     

Absolute Konfiguration von Loroxanthin (=(3R, 3′R, 6′R)-β, ϵ-Carotin-3, 19, 3′-triol)

Absolute Configuration of Loroxanthin (=(3R, 3′R, 6′R)-β, ?-Carotene-3, 19, 3′-triol) ‘Loroxanthin’, isolated from Chlorella vulgaris, was separated by HPLC. methods in two major isomers, a mono-cis-loroxanthin and the all-trans-form. Solutions of the pure isomers easily set up again a mixture of the cis/trans-isomers. Extensive ¹H-NMR. spectral measurements at 400 MHz allowed to establish the 3′, 6′-trans-configuration at the ?-end group in both isomers and the (9E)-configuration in the mono-cis-isomer. The absolute configurations at C(3) and C(6′) were deduced from CD. correlations with synthetic (9Z, 3R, 6′R)-β, ?-carotene-3, 19-diol ( 5 ) and (9E, 3R, 6′R)-β, ?-carotene-3, 19-diol ( 6 ), respectively. Thus, all-trans-loroxanthin ( 3 ) is (9Z, 3R, 3′R, 6′R)-β, ?-carotene-3, 19, 3′-triol and its predominant mono-cis-isomer is (9E, 3R, 3′R, 6′R)-β, ?-carotene-3, 19, 3′-triol ( 4 ). Cooccurrence in the same organism and identical chirality at all centers suggest that loroxanthin is biosynthesized from lutein ( 2 ).     

Die stereoisomeren Sinensiaxanthine und Sinensiachrome: Trennung und Bestimmung ihrer absoluten Konfiguration. 7. Mitteilung über Rosenfarbstoffe

Stereoisomeric Sinensiaxanthins and Sinensiachromes: Separation and Absolute Configuration The so-called sinensiaxanthins and sinensiachromes, important apocarotenols from various fruits, have been separated into 2 and 4 stereoisomers, respectively, and their absolute configurations have been determined: (3S,5R,6S)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-10′-apo-β-carotene-3,10′-diol ( 2 ), its (9Z)-stereoisomer 7, the (8R)- and (8S)-epimers of (3S, 5R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro- 10′ -apo-β-carotene-3, 10′-diol ( 4 and 5 ), and their (9Z)-stereoisomers 3 and probably 6. Thus, sinensiaxanthins are cleavage products from (Z/E)-isomeric antheraxanthins or violaxanthins (scission at C(9′)–C(10′)) and sinensiachromes analogously from mutatoxanthins or auroxanthins.     

Synthese von enantiomerenreinem Mimulaxanthin und seiner (9Z,9′Z)- und (15Z)-Isomeren

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Mimulaxanthin and of Its (9Z,9′Z)- and (15Z)Isomers We present the details of a synthesis of optically active, enantiomerically pure stereoisomers of mimulaxanthin (=(3s,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-6,7,6′,7′-tetradehydro-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-3,5,3′,5′-tetrol) either as free alcohols 1a and 24a or as their crystalline (t-Bu)Me₂Si ethers 1b and 24b . Grasshopper ketone 2a , a presumed synthon, unexpectedly showed a very sluggish reaction with Wittig-Horner reagents. Upon heating with the ylide of ester phosphonates, an addition across the allenic bond occurred. On the contrary, a slow but normal 1,2-addition took place with the ylide from (cyanomethyl)phosphonate but, unexpectedly, with concomitant inversion at the chiral axis. So a mixture of(6R,6S,9E,9Z)-isomers 6 – 9 was produced {(Scheme 1). However, a fast and very clean 1,2-addition occurred with the ethynyl ketone 12 to yield the esters 13 and 14 (Scheme 2). DIBAH reduction of the separated stereoisomers gave the allenic alcohols 15 and 16 in high yield. Mild oxidation to the aldehydes 17 and 18 followed by their condensation with the acetylenic C₁₀-bis-ylide 19 led to the stereoisomeric 15,15′-didehydromimulaxanthins 20 and 22 , respectively (Schemes 3 and 4). Mimulaxanthins 1 and 24 were prepared by partial hydrogenation of 20 and 22 followed by a thermal (Z/E)-isomerization. As expected, the mimulaxanthins exhibit very weak CD curves, obviously caused by the allenic bond that insulates the chiral centers in the end group from the chromophor. On the contrary, some of the C₁₅-allenic synthons showed not only fairly strong CD effects but also a split CD curve which, in our interpretation, results from an exciton coupling between the allene and the C(9)?C(10) bond. We postulate a rotation around the C(8)? C(9) bond, presumably caused by an intramolecular H-bond in 16 or by a dipol interaction between the polarized double bonds in 6 , 7 , 8 , and 17 .     

Reisolation of Carotenoid 3,6-Epoxides from Red Paprika (Capsicum annuum)

Cucurbitaxanthin A (= (3S,5R,6R,3′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β- carotene-5,3′-diol; 5 ), cucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′S)-3,6,5′, 6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 6 ), the epimeric cucurbitachromes 1 and 2 (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′S)- and (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-3,6,5′, 8′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol, resp.; 9/10 ), cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6,3′, 6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,κs-carotene-5,5′-diol; 8 ), and capsanthin 3,6-epoxide (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro ?5,3′-dihydroxy-β,κ-caroten-6′-one; 7 ) were isolated from red spice paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longum) and characterized by their ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, mass, and CD spectra.     

Carotenoids of Rhizobia. IV. Isolation and structure elucidation of the carotenoids of a mutant of Rhizobium lupini

The structures of the main carotenoid pigments from the mutant 1-207 of Rhizobium lupini were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (UV./VIS., CD., 270 MHz ¹H-NMR., and MS.). Ten carotenoids were identified, namely β,β-carotene ( 1 ), β,β-caroten-4-one (echinenone, 2 ), β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione (canthaxanthin, 3 ), (3S)-3-hydroxy-β,β-caroten-4-one ((3S)-3-hydroxyechinenone, 4 ), (2R, 3R)-β,β-carotene-2,3-diol ( 5 ), (3S)-3-hydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione ((3S)-adonirubin, 6 ), (2R, 3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-β,β-caroten-4-one ( 7 ), (2R, 3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-β,β-caroten-4,4′-dione ( 8 ), (2R, 3S, 2′R, 3′R)-2,3,2′,3′-tetrahydroxy-β,β-caroten-4-one ( 9 ) and the corresponding (2R, 3S, 2′R, 3′S)-4,4′-dione ( 10 ). Structures 5, 7, 8 and 10 have not been reported before. From the observed carotenoid pattern it is concluded that in this mutant the oxidation to 4-oxo compounds is favoured compared to the hydroxylation at C(3) and C(2).     

(all-E)-12′-Apozeaxanthinol,Persicaxanthine und Persicachrome

( all-E)-12′-Apozeanthinol, Persicaxanthine, and Persicachromes Reexamination of the so-called ‘persicaxanthins’ and ‘persicachromes’, the fluorescent and polar C₂₅-apocarotenols from the flesh of cling peaches, led to the identification of the following components: (3R)-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 3 ), (3S,5R,8R, all-E)- and (3S,5R,8S,all-E)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diols (4 and 5, resp.), (3S,5R,6S,all-E)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-l2′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol =persicaxanthin; ( 6 ), (3S,5R,6S,9Z,13′Z)-5,6-dihydro-12′apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 7 ; probable structure), (3S,5R,6S,15Z)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 8 ), and (3S,5R,6S,13Z)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 9 ). The (Z)-isomers 7 – 9 are very labile and, after HPLC separation, isomerized predominantly to the (all-E)-isomer 6 .     

Synthese von optisch aktiven,natürlichen Carotinoiden und strukturell verwandten Naturprodukten. VIII. Synthese von (3S,3′S)-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin und (3S,3′S)-7,8-Didehydroastaxanthin (Asterinsäure)

Synthesis of Optically Active Natural Carotenoids and Structurally Related Compounds. VIII. Synthesis of (3S,3′S)-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin and (3S,3′S)-7,8-Didehydroastaxanthin (Asterinic Acid) The synthesis of all-trans-(3S,3′S)-3,3′-dihydroxy-7,8, 7′,8′-tetradehydro-β, β-carotene-4,4′-dione ( 1 ), of all-trans-(3S,3′S)-3,3′-dihydroxy-7, 8-didehydro-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione ( 2 ) (asterinic acid = mixture of 1 and 2 ), and of their 9,9′-di-cis- and 9-cis-isomers is reported starting from (4′S)(2E)-5-(4′-hydroxy-2′, 6′,6′-trimethyl-3′-oxo-l′-cyclohexenyl)-3-methyl-2-penten-4-ynal ( 8 ). The absolute configuration (3S,3′S) for both components 1 and 2 of asterinic acid ex Asterias rubens is confirmed on the basis of spectroscopic and direct comparison.     

Synthese und Chiralität von (5R, 6R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ψ-carotin-5,6-diol, (5R, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ε-carotin-5,6-diol, (5S, 6R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β, ψ-carotin und (5S, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,ε-carotin

Synthesis and Chirality of (5R, 6R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ψ-carotene-5,6-diol, (5R, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ε-carotene-5,6-diol, (5S, 6R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,ψ-carotene and (5S, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,ε-carotene Wittig-condensation of optically active azafrinal ( 1 ) with the phosphoranes 3 and 6 derived from all-(E)-ψ-ionol ( 2 ) and (+)-(R)-α-ionol ( 5 ) leads to the crystalline and optically active carotenoid diols 4 and 7 , respectively. The latter behave much more like carotene hydrocarbons despite the presence of two hydroxylfunctions. Conversion to the optically active epoxides 8 and 9 , respectively, is smoothly achieved by reaction with the sulfurane reagent of Martin [3]. These syntheses establish the absolute configurations of the title compounds since that of azafrin is known [2].     

Partial Synthesis and Characterization of the Mono-and Diepoxides of β-Cryptoxanthin

β-Cryptoxanthin ( 1 ) was acetylated and then epoxidized with monoperoxyphthalic acid. After hydrolysis, repeated chromatography, and crystallization, (3S,5R,6S)-5,6-epoxy-β-cryptoxanthin ( 3 ), (3S,5S,6R)-5,6-epoxy-β-cryptoxanthin ( 4 ), (3R,5′R,6′R)-5′,6′-epoxy-β-cryptoxanthin ( 5 ), (3S,5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-5,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-β-cryp-toxanthin ( 6 ), and (3S,5S,6R,5′S,6′R)-5,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-β-cryptoxanthin ( 7 ) were isolated as main products and characterized by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, and mass spectra. The comparison of the carotenoid isolated from yellow, tomato-shaped paprika (Capsicum annuum var. lycopersiciforme flavum) with 3–5 strongly supports the structure of 3 for the natural product.     

Isolation and Characterisation of (5R, 6S,5′R,8′R)- and (5R,6S,5′R,8′S)-Luteochrome from Brazilian Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas LAM.)

Luteochrome isolated from the tubers of a white-fleshed variety of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas LAM .) has been shown by HPLC, ¹H-NMR and CD spectra to consist of a mixture of (5R,6S,5′R,8′R)- and (5R,6S,5′R,8′S)- 5,6:5′,8′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene ( 1 and 2 , resp.). Therefore, its precursor is (5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-5,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene ( 4 ). This is the first identification of luteochrome as a naturally occurring carotenoid and, at the same time, gives the first clue to the as yet unknown chirality of the widespread β,β-carotene diepoxide. These facts demonstrate that the enzymic epoxidation of the β-end group occurs from the α-side, irrespective of the presence of OH groups on the ring.     

Absolute Konfiguration von α-Doradexanthin und von Fritschiellaxanthin,einem neuen Carotinoid aus Fritschiella tuberosa IYENG

Absolute Configuration of α-Doradexanthin and of Fritschiellaxanthin, a New Carotenoid from Fritschiella tuberosa IYENG . Fritschiellaxanthin, a new oxocarotenoid produced by the green alga Fritschiella tuberosa, in a nitrogen-deficient medium is now shown to be (3 S, 3′ R, 6′ R)-3, 3′-dihydroxy-β, ?-caroten-4-one ( 4b ). It is not identical with α-Doradexanthin ( 5b ) previously found in goldfish (Carassius auratus) and to which we assign the (3 S, 3′ S, 6′ R)-chirality. Consequently, fritschiellaxanthin and α-Doradexanthin are C(3′)-epimers of lutein-4-on. Furthermore, the so-called ′lutein′ from goldfish has now been found to be identical with 3′-epilutein (3) . Therefore, fritschiellaxanthin is probably biogenetically derived from lutein (2) , whereas α-Doradexanthin is formed from 3′-epilutein (3) with 3, O-didehydrolutein (=(3R, 6′R)-3-hydroxy-β, ?-caroten-3′-one 10) as a precursor. For comparison, optically active 10 and 3 have been prepared from lutein (2) and are fully characterised.     

Partial Synthesis and Characterization of Karpoxanthins and Cucurbitaxanthin A Epimers

Karpoxanthin (=(all-E,3S,5R,6R,3′R)-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,6,3′-tetrol; 7 ), 6-epikarpoxanthin (=(all-E,3S,5R,6S,3′R)-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,6,3′-tetrol; 4 ), 5-epikarpoxanthin (=(all-E,3S,5S,6R,3′-R)-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,6,3′-tetrol; 11 ), cucurbitaxanthin A (=(all-E,3S,5R,6R,3′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 10 ), epicucurbitaxanthin A (=(all-E-3S,5S,6R,3′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 14 ), and the corresponding mutatoxanthin epimers 8 , 9 , 12 , and 13 were prepared in crystalline state by the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of (3S,5R,6S,3′R)- and (3S,5S,6R,3′R)-antheraxanthin ( 5 and 6 , resp.) and characterized by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, and mass spectra.     

Carotinoide mit 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-Endgruppen. Teil I. Versuch einer Synthese von Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol)

Carotenoids with 7-Oxabicyclo[2,2.1]heptyl End Groups. Attempted Synthesis of Cycloviolaxanthin ( = (3S,5R,6S,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′- Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol) Starting from our recently described synthon (+)- 24 , the enantiomerically pure 3,6:4,5:3′,6′:4′,5′-tetraepoxy-4,5,4′,5′-tetrahydro-ε,ε-carotene ( 34 ) and its 15,15′-didehydro analogue 32 were synthesized in eleven and nine steps, respectively (Scheme 4). Chiroptical data show, in contrast to the parent ε,ε-carotene, a very weak interaction between the chiral centers at C(5), C(5′), C(6), C(6′), and the polyene system. Diisobutylaluminium hydride reduction of 32 lead rather than to the expected 15,15′-didehydro analogue 35 of Cycloviolaxanthin ( 8 ), to the polyenyne 36 (Scheme 5). We explain this reaction by an oxirane rearrangement leading to a cyclopropyl ether followed by a fragmentation to an aldehyd on the one side and an enol ether on the other (Scheme 6). This complex rearrangement includes a shift of the whole polyenyne chain from C(6), C(6′) to C(5), C(5′) of the original molecule.     

Synthesis of (all-E,2R,2′R)-oscillol

Optically active (all-E,2R,2′R)-oscillol (= (all-E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetradehydro-1,2,1′,2′-tetrahydro-ψ,ψ-carotene-1,2,1′,2′-tetrol; 1 ) was synthesized according to the C₁₀ + C₂₀ + C₁₀ = C₄₀ strategy, applying the Wittig reaction to couple the synthons 4 and 6 . The chiral centre was introduced by a Sharpless dihydroxylation of 3-methylbut-2-enyl 4-nitrobenzoate ( 8 ).     

Carotinoide mit 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-Endgruppen. Teil II. Synthese von (2S,5R,6S,2′S,5′R,6′S)-2,5:2′5′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin

Carotenoids mit 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-End Groups. Synthesis of (2S,5R,6S,2′S,5′R,6′S)-2,5:2′5′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene Mukayama's ester 6 (methyl (1S,2R,5S)-2,5-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate) was transformed in a few conventional steps into the title compound 14 . Its CD curve was found to be significantly different from that of the analogous 3,6-epoxide, a fact we tentatively lake as an indication of a (weak) electronic interaction between the ring O-atom and the π-orbitals of the polyene chain.