Sesquiterpenoids of the Sponge Dysidea fragilis of the North-Brittany Sea

The title sponge is shown to contain eight new sesquiterpenoids for which a common, unusual biogenetic origin is postulated. The compounds are shown to be: (–)-(1R*,4R*)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-2-p-menthen-7-yl acetate ((–)- 8b ); two diols separated as the monoacetates (–)-(1S*,4R*)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-l-hydroxy-2-p-menthen-7-yl acetate ((–)- 13a ) and the (–)-(1R*,4R*)-epimer (–)- 13b , the two C(4)-epimeric 4-ethoxy-3-(1′(7′),2′-p-menthadien-3′-yl)methyl-2-buten-4-olides ((+)- 14a and (–)- 14b ), (–)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-7-nor-2-p-menthen-l-one ((–)- 11 ), (–)-(3Z)-1-(3′-furyl)-4,8-dimethylnona-3, 7-dien-2-yl acetate ((–)- 17 ), and (+)-3-(5′,7′-seco-2′(10′)-pinen-7′-yl)methylfuran ((+)- 15 ).     

Sarcodictyin A and Sarcodictyin B,Novel Diterpenoidic Alcohols Esterified by (E)-N(1)-Methylurocanic Acid. Isolation from the Mediterranean Stolonifer Sarcodictyon roseum

The Mediterranean stolonifer Sarcodictyon roseum (= Rolandia rosea) (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonaria, Stolonifera, Clavulariidae) is shown to contain two novel diterpenoidic alcohols esterified by (E)-N(1)-methyl-urocanic acid (= E)-3-(l-methyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)acrylic acid). They are sarcodictyin A ( = (?)-(4R,4a,R, 7R,10S,11S,12aR,lZ,5E,8Z)-7,10-epoxy-3,4,4a,7,10,11,12,12a-octahydro-7-hydroxy-6-(methoxycarbonyl)-1,10-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)benzocyclodecen-11-yl (E)-3-(1-methyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)acrylate; (?)- 1 ) and sarco-dictyin B (the 6-(ethoxycarbonyl analogue; (?)- 2 ). The assignment of the structures is mainly based on 1D- and 2D-NMR data, as well as on chemical transformations of (?)- 1 , such as transesterification with MeONa/MeOH giving methyl (E)-N(1)-methylurocanate ( 3 ) and the free alcohol (+)- 4 and reduction with LiAlH₄ followed by benzoylation giving dibenzoate 7. Absolute configurations are based on Horeau's method of esterification of (+)- 4 .     

Proof of the Absolute Configuration of (−)-(S)-2-Hydroxy-β-ionone by correlation with ursolic acid and with (−)-trans-verbenol

(?)-(S)-2-Hydroxy-β-ionone ( 33 ), (+)-(2 S, 6 S)-2-hydroxy-α-ionone ( 34 ), and their acetates 35 and 36 have been synthesized from (+)-(S)-6-methylbicyclo [4.3.0]-non-1-ene-3, 7-dione ( 3 ). The key intermediate (+)-(1 R, 3 S, 6 S)-2, 2, 6-trimethyl-7-oxobicyclo [4.3.0]non-3-yl acetate ( 7 ) was correlated with a degradation product of the pentacyclic triterpene ursolic acid ( 16 ). Compound 33 was also synthesized by an alternative route starting from (?)-trans-verbenol ( 42 ).     

Epimeric Isopavine N-Oxides from Roemeria refracta

Roemeria refracta DC. (Papaveraceae) of Turkish origin yielded two novel epimeric N-oxides, (?)-(5R, 11S,14R)-reframidine N-oxide ( = (?)-(5R, 11S,14R)-11,12-dihydro-14-methyl-11,5-(iminomethano)-5H -cyclohepta[1, 2-f: 4, 5-f′]bis[1,3]benzodioxole 14-oxide; 1 ) and (?)-(5R, 11S, 14S)-reframidine N-oxide ( = (?)-(5R, 11S, 14S)-11, 12-dihydro-14-methyl-11, 5-(iminomethano)-5H-cyclohepta[1, 2-f:4, 5-f′]bis[1, 3]benzodioxole 14-oxide; 2 ). The isolated (?)-roelactamine ( = (?)-11, 12-dihydro-14-methyl-11, 5-(iminomethano)-5H-cyclohepta[1, 2-f:4, 5-f′]bis[1, 3]benzodioxol-15-one, 4 ) is the first natural isopavinoid incorporating a lactam group. The epimeric (?)-15-(2-oxopropyl)reframidines ( = (?)-1-[11, 12-dihydro-14-methyl-11, 5-(iminomethano)-5H-cyclohepta[1, 2-f:4, 5-f′]bis[1, 3]benzodioxol-15-y1]propan-2-ones; 5/6 ) and the epimeric (?)-ethyl (reframidin-15-yl)acetates ( = (?)-ethyl [11, 12-dihydro-14-methyl-11, 5-(iminomethano)-5H-cyclohepta[1, 2-f:4, 5-f′]bis[1, 3]benzodioxol-15-y1]acetates; 7/8 ) are probably artifacts. (±)-Coclaurine ( 9 ), (±)-N-methylcoclaurine ( 10 ), (?)-roemeridine ( 11 ), and N-feruloyltyramine ( 12 ) are also isolated from R. refracta together with the previously reported bases. Specific ¹³C-NMR assignments are reported for the first time for the isopavines.     

Synthesis of S,S-dialkyl-N-(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-yl)sulfoximides and specificities of their base-catalyzed intramolecular heterocyclizations into naphtho[1,2,3-cd]-indol-6(2H)-ones

Heating of 6H-anthra[1,9-cd][1,2]oxazol-6-ones with dialkyl sulfoxides in sulfolane gave S,S-dialkyl-N-(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-yl)sulfoximides which underwent cyclization to naphtho-[1,2,3-cd]indol-6(2H)-one derivatives on heating in boiling tetrahydrofuran in the presence of sodium methoxide. p-Toluenesulfinic acid was isolated as by-product in the cyclization of S-methyl-S-(4-methylphenyl)-N-(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-yl)sulfoximide. The heterocyclizations of S,S-dipropyl- and S,S-dibutyl-N-(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-yl)sulfoximides to 1-ethyl- and 1-propylnaphtho[1,2,3-cd]-indol-6(2H)-ones were accompanied by formation of the corresponding 1-[1-hydroxyethyl(propyl)]naphtho-[1,2,3-cd]indol-6(2H)-ones.     

The Absolute Configuration of β-Bisabolol

From bergamot oil (Citrus bergamia RISSO), (?)-(4S, 8R)-8-epi-α-bisabolol ( 2 ) and (?)-(4R, 8S)-4-epi-β-bisabolol ( 3 ) were isolated. The absolute configuration of their stereoisomers 4 and 5 was established by an enantioselective synthesis starting from (?)-(S)-p-mentha-1,8-dien-4-ol.     

Preparation and Absolute Configuration of (−)-(E)-α-trans-Bergamotenone

The synthesis, absolute configuration, and olfactive evaluation of (?)-(E)-α-trans-bergamotenone (= (?)-(1′S,6′R,E)-5-(2′,6′-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2′-en-6′-yl)pent-3-en-2-one; (?)- 1 ), as well as its homologue (?)- 19 are reperted. The previously arbitrarily attributed absolute configuration of 1 and of (?)-α-trans-bergamotene (= (?)-(1 S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-ene; (?)- 2 ), together with those of the structurally related aldehydes (?)- 3a,b and alcohols (?)- 4a,b , have been rigorously assigned.     

(+)-(1S, 3S, 6S, 8S)-und (−)-(1R, 3R, 6R, 8R)-4, 9-Twistadien: Synthese und Bestimmung der absoluten Konfiguration

(+)-(1S, 3S, 6S, 8S)-and (?)-(1R, 3R, 6R, 8R)-4, 9-Twistadiene: Synthesis and Absolute Configuration A synthesis and the determination of the absolute configuration of (+)-(1S, 3S, 6S, 8S)- and (?)-(1R, 3R, 6R, 8R)-4, 9-twistadiene ((+)- and (?)- 4 , respectively) is described. Their chiroptical properties are compared with those of saturated twistane ((+)- and (?)- 5 ) as well as with those of the unsaturated and saturated 2, 7-dioxatwistane analogs (+)- and (?)- 9 , and (+)- and (?)- 10 , respectively, which also are compounds of known absolute configurations.     

Konkurrenz von Endoperoxid- und Hydroperoxid-Bildung bei der Umsetzung von Singulett-Sauerstoff mit cyclischen,konjugierten Dienen. Teil I

Competition of Endoperoxide and Hydroperoxide Formation in the Reaction of Singlet Oxygen with Cyclic, Conjugated Dienes Rose-bengal-sensitized photooxygenation of (?)-(R)-α-phellandrene ( 1 ) in MeOH at room temperature yielded a complex mixture of products, contrary to previous reports describing cis-(3S, 6R)-epidioxy-p-menthene ( 2 ) and trans-(3R, 6S)-epidioxy-p-menthene ( 3 ) as the only products. The mixture was separated by prep. HPLC (silica gel, pentane/Et₂O 9:1). Besides the known endoperoxides 2 (yield 39%) and 3 (26%), all those hydroper-oxides, which can be deduced from an ene reaction of ¹O₂ with 1 , were isolated, i.e. 4β-p-mentha-2,5-dien-1β-yl hydroperoxide ( 4 ) (14%), 4β-p-mentha-2,5-dien-1α-yl hydroperoxide ( 5 ) (9%), (2R, 4R)-p-mentha-1(7), 5-dien-2-yl hydroperoxide ( 6 ) (2,1%), (2S, 4R)-p-mentha-1(7),5-dien-2-yl hydroperoxide ( 7 ) (1,5%) and (1R)-p-mentha-3,6-dien-yl hydroperoxide ( 8 ; 1,5%; Scheme 1). Furthermore, the constant cis/trans ratio for all diastereoisomeric pairs ( 2 / 2 , 4 / 2 , 6 / 2 ) was striking. With the help of the two possible conformers 1a and 1b of the starting material a model of a common first step for endoperoxide as well as for hydroperoxide formation is developed. A photooxygenation at ?50° supports this model. The absolute value of the cis/trans ratio changes in the same way for the endoperoxides and the hydroperoxides.     

Synthesis of pseudopeptidic (S)-6-amino-5-oxo-1,4-diazepines and (S)-3-benzyl-2-oxo-1,4-benzodiazepines by an Ugi 4CC Staudinger/aza-Wittig sequence

Sequential Ugi reaction between p-substituted arylglyoxals, alkylamines, cyclohexyl isocyanide and 3-azido-(S)-2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)propanoic acid, followed by a Staudinger/aza-Wittig cyclization in the presence of triphenylphosphine, gave rise to enantiomerically pure N-cyclohexyl 4-alkyl-2-aryl-5-oxo-(S)-6-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-1,4-diazepine-3-carboxamides, that can be useful for new drug design. By the same sequence, p-substituted benzaldehydes, 2-aminobenzophenone, cyclohexyl isocyanide and (S)-3-phenyl-2-azidopropionic acid gave rise to N-cyclohexyl 2-((S)-3-benzyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-1-yl)-(R/S)-2-arylacetamides.     

Photochemische Umsetzung von optisch aktiven 2-(1′-Methylallyl)anilinen mit Methanol

Photochemical Reaction of Optically Active 2-(1′-Methylallyl)anilines with Methanol It is shown that (?)-(S)-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((?)-(S)- 4 ) on irradiation in methanol yields (?)-(2S, 3R)-2, 3-dimethylindoline ((?)-trans- 8 ), (?)-(1′R, 2′R)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl)aniline ((?)-erythro- 9 ) as well as racemic (1′RS, 2′SR)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl) aniline ((±)-threo- 9 ) in 27.1, 36.4 and 15.7% yield, respectively (see Scheme 3). By deamination and chemical correlation with (+)-(2R, 3R)-3-phenyl-2-butanol ((+)-erythro- 13 ; see Scheme 4) it was found that (?)-erythro- 9 has the same absolute configuration and optical purity as the starting material (?)-(S)- 4 . Comparable results are obtained when (?)-(S)-N-methyl-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((?)-(S)- 7 ) is irradiated in methanol, i.e. the optically active indoline (+)-trans- 10 and the methanol addition product (?)-erythro- 11 along with its racemic threo-isomer are formed (cf. Scheme 3). These findings demonstrate that the methanol addition products arise from stereospecific, methanol-induced ring opening of intermediate, chiral trans, -(→(?)-erythro-compounds) and achiral cis-spiro [2.5]octa-4,6-dien-8-imines (→(±)-threo-compounds; see Schemes 1 and 2).     

Synthèse énantiospécifique du (+)-(6S, 8R,E)-2,3-didéhydrononactate de méthyle

Enantiospecific Synthesis of (+)-(6S,8R,E)-Methyl 2,3-Didebydrononactate (+)-(6S,8R,E)-Methyl 2,3-didehydrononactate ( 7 ) has been synthesised from (?)-(3R)-methyl 3-hydroxy-butanoate with an enantiomeric excess ≥95%. The known stereoselective hydrogenation of 7 affords (?)-(2R,3R,6S,8R)-methyl nonactate ( 8 ) as the major isomer, a chiral synthon for the synthesis of nonactin.     

Heterotricyclodecane XX (+)-(1S, 3S, 6S, 8S)- und (−)-(1R, 3R, 6R, 8R)-2, 7-Dioxa-twista-4,9-dien

(+)-(1S, 3S, 6S, 8S)- and (?)-(1R, 3R, 6R, 8R)-2,7-dioxa-twista-4,9-diene. A synthesis and the determination of the sense of chirality of (+)-(1S, 3S, 6S, 8S)- and (?)-(1R, 3R, 6R, 8R)-2,7-dioxa-twista-4,9-diene ((+)- 5 and (?)- 5 , respectively) is described.     

Syntheses of apogalanthamine analogs as α-adrenergic blocking agents. IX. Syntheses of optically active 8-hydroxy-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrodibenz[c,e]azocines

(8R) and (8S)-Hydroxy-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrodibenz[c,e]azocines (R- and S- 1 ) were synthesized by oxidative kinetic resolution of N-(2-iodobenzyl)-β-(2-iodophenyl)ethanolamine ( 8 ), followed by cyclization of the optically active acetates (R- and S- 6 ) of R- and S- 8 with zero-valent nickel to (8R)- and (8S)-acetoxyazocines (R- and S- 7 ), and by hydrolysis of the acetates ( R - and S- 7 ).     

Syntheses of 1,3,6,8,10,11,14-heptaazapentaphene-2,4,7,9(14H,3H,8H, -11H)-tetrones (angular mixed flavins), 1,3,5,6,8,10,11,14-octaazapentaphene-2,4,7,9(14H,3H,8H,11H)-tetrones (angular doubled flavins), and their related compounds

Cyclization of N, N′-dialkyl-N-(3-methyluracil-6-yl)-N′-(5-nitro-3-methyluracil-6-yl)- p-phenylenediamines with the Vilsmeier reagent gives the corresponding 1,3,6,8,10,11,14-heptaazapentaphene-2,4,7,9-(14H,3H,8H,-11H) -tetrones (angular mixed flavins) 2. Cyclization of N, N′-di(5-nitro-3-methyluracil-6-yl)-p-phenylenedi-amines with the Vilsmeier reagent gives the corresponding 1,3,5,6,8,10,11,14-octaazapentaphene-2,4,7,9-(14H,3H,8H,11H)-tetrones (angular doubled flavins) 11 along with the angular mixed flavins 2.     

Synthesis of(+)-(2S, 6S)-trans-α-Irone and of(-)-(2S, 6S)-trans-γ-Irone

A 3:1 mixture of (+)-(2S, 6S)-trans-α-irone ((+)-1) and (?)-(2S, 6S)-trans-γ-irone (?)-2) has been synthesized with ca. 70% e. e. by the ene reaction of (?)-(S)-3 and but-3-yn-2-one.     

Synthesis of (R)- and (R)-4-methyl-6-2′-methylprop-1′-enyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran (Nerol oxide) and Natural Occurrence of its Racemate

Following a known procedure, a mixture of (?)-(2S,3R)- and (+)-(2R,3R)-2,3-epoxy-citronellols ( 5 ) was prepared from (?)-(R)-linalool ( 3 ) via epoxy alcohol 4 and then reduced to (?)-(R)-3-hydroxy-citronellol ( 6 ). Sensitized photooxygenation of (?)-(R)-diol 6 led in part to (?)-(R)-triol 8 which was cyclodehydrated by dilute acid to a mixture of diastereoisomeric tetrahydropyran-4-ols 9 and 10 . Dehydration of hydroxy ethers 9 and 10 afforded (?)-(S)-nerol oxide ( 11 ) and (+)-(R)-nerol oxide ( 12 ), respectively, with an optical purity of 91%. Nerol oxide isolated from Bulgarian rose oil (0.038%) proved to be racemic. These results shed some light on the formation of nerol oxide in plants.     

(R)-4-menthen-3-one in the synthesis of (3S)-methylundecand (2S)-methyldec-1-ylbromides, key synthons for (S,S,S)-diprionylacetate

New capabilities for the synthetic use of (R)-4-menthen-3-one were demonstrated using as examples (3S)-methylundec- and (2S)-methyldec-1-ylbromides, key synthons for (S,S,S)-diprionylacetate (sex pheromone of pine sawflies of genera Diprion and Neodiprion).     

Über die Stereoselektivität der α-Alkylierung von (1R, 2S) (+)-cis-2-hydroxy-cyclohexancarbonsäureäthylester

The Stereoselectivity of the α-Alkylation of (+)-(1R, 2S)-cis-Ethyl-2-hydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylate In continuation of our work on the stereoselectivity of the α-alkylation of β-hydroxyesters [1] [2], we studied this reaction with the title compound (+)- 2 . The latter was prepared through reduction of 1 with baker's yeast. Alkylation of the dianion of (+)- 2 furnished (?)- 4 in 72% chemical yield (Scheme 1) and with a stereoselectivity of 95%. Analogously, (?)- 7 was prepared with similar yields. Oxidation of (?)- 4 and (?)- 7 respectively furnished the ketones (?)- 6 (Scheme 3) and (?)- 8 (Scheme 4) respectively, each with about 76% enantiomeric excess (NMR.). It is noteworthy that yeast reduction of rac- 6 (Scheme 3) is completely enantioselective with respect to substrate and product and gives optically pure (?)- 4 in 10% yield, which was converted into optically pure (?)- 6 (Scheme 3). The alkylation of the dianionic intermediate shows a higher stereoselectivity (95%) from the pseudoequatorial side than that of 1-acetyl- or 1-cyano-4-t-butyl-cyclohexane (71% and 85%) [9] or that of ethyl 2-methyl-cyclohexanecarboxylate (82%). The stereochemical outcome of the above alkylation is comparable with that found in open chain examples [1] [2]. Finally (+)-(1R, 2S)- 2 was also alkylated with Wichterle's reagent to give (?)-(1S, 2S)- 9 in 64% yield. The latter was transformed into (?)-(S)- 10 and further into (?)-(S)- 11 (Scheme 5). (?)-(S)- 10 and (?)-(S)- 11 showed an e.e. of 76–78% (see also [11]). Comparison of these results with those in [11] confirmed our former stereochemical assignment concerning the alkylation step.     

Isolation from the Mediterranean Stolonifern Coral Sarcodictyon roseum of Sarcodictyin C,D, E,and F,novel diterpenodic alcohols esterified by (E)- or (Z)-N(1)-methylurocanic acid. Failure of the carbon-skeleton type as a classification criterion

It is shown here that the stoloniferan coral Sarcodictyon roseum of east Pyrenean waters contains four novel diterpenoids, sarcodictyin C ((?) -3 ), D ((?) -4 ), E ((+)- 5 ), F ((+)- 6 ), which are related to sarcodictyin A ( = (?)-(4R,4aR,7R,10S,11S,12aR,1Z,5E,8Z-7,10-epoxy-3,4,4a,7,10,11,12,12a-octahydro-7-hydroxy-6-(methyoxycarbonyl)-1,10-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-benzocyclodecen-11-yl (E)-N¹-methylyrocanate; ((?)? 1 ), previously isolated from the same coral. Sarcodictyin C ((?) -3 ) and D ((?) -4 ) and the 3α-hydroxy and 3α-acetoxy derivatives of (?) -1 ), sarcodictyin E ((+) -5 ) is the (Z)-urocanate isomer of (?) -3 ), and sarcodictyin F ((+) -6 ) is the 1α-hydroxy-2-ene isomer of (?) -3 . In all cases, the nine-membered ring is locked, and the molecule stabilized, by the urocanic appendage; when this is removed in MeOH/KOH, the C(11)–O^? function is free to attack at C(5), and retro-condensations then lead to the ring-contracted butenolides 11 (from (?) -3 ) or 10 (from(?) -1 ) with extrusion of the hydroxyfuran nucleus (Scheme 3). Under the same conditions, with (?) -3 , the C(3)-O^? group competitively attacks at C(5), the hydroxyfuran nucleus is expelled, and aldehyde 14 is formed. Peculiarly, in the reaction of (?) -3 with MeOD/KOD, the ring-contracted butenolide 17 contains D at the 4′-ax position. The sarcodictyins are unique in these chemical properties, not shared by the cladiellanes which have the same C-skeleton.