Der Sterische Verlauf der nucleophilen Cyclopropanöffnung an den vier im Spiro(methylcyclopropan)-Ring Diastereoisomeren Lanugonen J (Spirocoleonen)

The Stereochemistry of the Nucleophilie Opening of the Cyclopropane Ring in the four Diastereoisomeric Lanugons J (Spirocoleons) Methanolysis of the spiro(methylcyclopropane) moiety in the four diastereoisomeric lanugons J 3 (13S, 15R), 4 (13R,15R), 5 (13S,15S), and 6 (13R,15S) is shown to proceed stereospecifically with inversion of the configuration at the attacked C-atom (C(15)). The resulting epimeric 2-methoxypropyl-substituted hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinones (royleanones) 7a/8a (monomethoxy derivatives) and 7b/8b (dimethoxy derivatives) could be separated by HPLC using the recently described ‘Non-Aqueous Cation Exchange System’. Respective pairs of ¹H-NMR spectra exhibit minute but significant differences in the ABMX₃ part of the 2-methoxypropyl group. The final structure assignment is based on a single-crystal X-ray analysis of the dimethoxyroyleanone 7b , whose absolute configuration was established by chiroptical correlation with known abietanoids. Thus, methanolysis of 3 and 4 ((R)-configuration at the reaction centre) yielded the royleanones 7a and 7b with (S)-configuration, whereas analogous treatment of 5 and 6 ((S)-configuration at the reaction centre) led to the corresponding derivatives 8a and 8b both having the (R)-configuration in the 2-methoxypropyl side chain.     

Neue Diterpene aus Blattdrüsen von Plectranthus barbatus (Labiatae). Die absolute Konfiguration der 2-Hydroxypropyl-Seitenkette in Coleon E

Novel Diterpenoids from Leaf Glands of Plectranthus barbatus (Labiatae). The Absolute Configuration of the 2-Hydroxypropyl Group in Coleon E In addition to the previously reported quinone methides coleon E ( 1a ), coleon F ( 2a ) and the spirocoleon 9 (plectrin), novel rearranged abietanoid dienediones, called (16R)-plectrinon A ( 3a ) and plectrinon B ( 5 ) as well as the allylroyleanone 8a have been isolated from Plectranthus barbatus and their structures elucidated mainly by spectroscopy. Closer investigation of acetylations of 1a and 2a established the hitherto unknown structures 1c , 2c , 3b , 10a , 10b , 11a , 11b , 12a , and 12b . The derivatives 3b , 11a , 11b , 12a , and 12a , and 12b are the products of a nucleophilic attack at the quinone methide system. The analysis of the ¹³C-NMR spectra led to the full assignment of the signals in 1a , 1b , 2a , 3a , and 8a . Correlations by partial syntheses of 3a , from coleon E( 1a ), after oxidation or acetylation/saponification of the latter, established the (R)-configuration of the 2-hydroxypropyl group in 1a . The biomimetic transformation of plectrin ( 9 ) into (16R)-coleon E ( 1a ) is shown to proceed via the unexpected, highly reactive 2-methylspiro[cyclopropane-1,2′-(2′H)-phenanthrene]-1′,3′, 6′-trione 13 . The solvolysis of the spiro(methylcyclopropane) moiety takes place with inversion of the configuration at the attacked C-atom, as established in a previous communication. The 1,3,6-trione 13 is supposed to be also the key intermediate in the biosynthesis of the allyl group in coleon F ( 2a ) which proceeds via a homosigmatropic [1,5]-H shift.     

Partialsynthesen und Reaktionen von Abietanderivaten (Lanugonen) aus Plectranthus lanuginosus und verwandten Verbindungen

Partial Syntheses and Reactions of Abietanoid Derivatives (Lanugones) from Plectranthus lanuginosus and of Related Compounds Interconversions by partial syntheses of several lanugones establish their absolute configuration at C(15). Unexpected reactions exemplify the unique reactivity of these abietanoic diterpenes, - Lanugone O ( 4 ) was prepared in several steps from (15S)-coleon C ( 8a ; Scheme 2) thus establishing its (15S)-configuration. One of the intermediates, the 12-O-acetyl-6-oxoroyleanone 12 , through acetyl-migration sets up an equilibrium with the vinylogous quinone 13 (Scheme 3). - The chirality at C(15) in the dihydrofuran moiety of lanugone Q ( 16 ) was proven by acid-catalyzed conversion of lanugone O ( 4 ) to 16 . - Instead of the usual nucleophilic attack shown by quinomethanes, lanugone L (1 ) is electrophilically substituted at C(7) by acetic anhydride/pyridine (Scheme 1). - In a homosigmatropic [1,5]-H-shift, lanugone G ( 17 ) in solution is converted to the corresponding allyl substituted royleanone 18 (Scheme 4). - Methanolysis of lanugone J ( 19 ) leads to the expected royleanone 20 having the 2-methoxypropyl side chain ( Scheme 5 ). Similar reactions were found in acetolytic reactions. However, treatment-of spirocoleons with SOCl₂/DMF produces mainly 12-deoxyroyleanones with allyl- and 2-chloropropyl groups, i. e. 19 → 26 and 27 ; 28 → 29 . The possible natural occurrence of these compounds is emphasized.     

1,6-Eliminationsreaktionen an Spirocoleonon; Charakterisierung der ersten Spiro[(methylcyclopropan)-phenanthren]-1,3-dion-Derivate

Preparation of the First Spiro[(methylcyclopropan)-phenanthrene]-1,3-dione Derivatives by 1,6-Elimination Reactions of Spirocoleons Spirocoleons, e.g. coleon J ( 1 ), on treatment with 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) in aprotic solvents, undergo enolization followed by a rapid 1,6-elimination with formation of the hitherto unknown 2-methyl-spiro[cyclopropane-1,2′(1′H)-phenanthrene]-1′,3′(4′bH)-dione system, e.g. 3 . In protic solvents, base-catalyzed solvolysis of the spirocyclopropane predominates.     

Neue Synthese von (−)-(R)-Cembren A,Synthese von (+)-(R)-Cembrenen und (+)-(S)-Cembren

Novel Synthesis of (?)-(R)-Cembrene A, Synthesis of (+)-(R)-Cembrenene and (+)-(S)-Cembrene A novel synthesis of (?)-(R)-cembrene A ((?)- 3 ) was developed using the Sharpless epoxidation for the introduction of the chiral center. Furthermore, the synthesis of (+)-(R)-cembrenene ((+)- 4 ) showed that this cembranoid must have the (R)-configuration and not, as previously reported, the (S)-configuration. Selective hydrogenation of (+)- 4 afforded (+)-(S)-cenibrene ((+)- 5 ).     

Chirale Synthesebausteine durch Kolbe-Elektrolyse enantiomerenreiner β-Hydroxy-carbonsäurederivate. (R)- und (S)-Methyl-sowie (R)-Trifluormethyl-γ-butyrolactone und -δ-valerolactone

Chiral Building Blocks for Syntheses by Kolbe Electrolysis of Enantiomerically Pure β-Hydroxybutyric-Acid Derivatives. (R)- and (S)-Methyl-, and (R)-Trifluoromethyl-γ-butyrolactones, and -δ-valerolactones The coupling of chiral, non-racemic R* groups by Kolbe electrolysis of carboxylic acids R*COOH is used to prepare compounds with a 1.4- and 1.5-distance of the functional groups. The suitably protected β-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R)- or (S)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, (R)-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-hydroxybutyric acid (as acetates; see 1 – 6 ), and (S)-malic acid (as (2S,5S)-2-(tert-butyl)-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-acetic acid; see 7 ) are decarboxylatively dimerized or ‘codimerized’ with 2-methylpropanoic acid, with 4-(formylamino)butyric acid, and with monomethyl malonate and succinate. The products formed are derivatives of (R,R)-1,1,1,6,6,6-hexafluoro-2,5-hexanediol (see 8 ), of (R)-5,5,5-trifluoro-4-hydroxypentanoic acid (see 9,10 ), of (R)- and (S)-5-hydroxyhexanoic acid (see 11 ) and its trifluoro analogue (see 12, 13 ), of (S)-2-hydroxy- and (S,S)-2,5-dihydroxyadipic acid (see 23, 20 ), of (S)-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid (‘OH-leucine’, see 21 ), and of (S)-2-hydroxy-6-aminohexanoic acid (‘OH-lysine’, see 22 ). Some of these products are further converted to CH₃- or CF₃-substituted γ- and δ-lactones of (R)- or (S)-configuration ( 14 , 16 – 19 ), or to an enantiomerically pure derivative of (R)-1-hydroxy-2-oxocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (see 24 ). Possible uses of these new chiral building blocks for the synthesis of natural products and their CF₃ analogues (brefeldin, sulcatol, zearalenone) are discussed. The olfactory properties of (R)- and (S)-δ-caprolactone ( 18 ) are compared with those of (R)-6,6,6-trifluoro-δ-caprolactone ( 19 ).     

Diterpenoide Drüsenfarbstoffe aus Labiaten: 22 neue Coleone und Royleanone aus Plectranthus lanuginosus

Leaf-gland Pigments from Labiatae: 22 Novel Diterpenoids (Coleons and Royleanones) from Plectranthus lanuginosus We report the isolation and structure elucidation of 22 novel diterpenoids (named lanugones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, K′, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S and (155)-coleon C ( 28 ) and (155)-coleon D ( 29 )) from the leaf-glands of the above-mentioned plant (see Table 1). Structurally they belong to the subgroups of royleanones and coleons with the following structural characteristics: 8-hydroxy-1-methyl-spi-ro[2,5]oct-5-ene-4,7-diones, p-quinomethanes, extended (vinylogous) quinones, di-osphenols and diketones. Compounds 28 and 29 are (15S)-epimers of the already known coleon C and coleon D (with (15 R)-configuration), respectively. Furthermore, the already known 6,7-didehydroroyleanone ( 1 ) has been isolated in small amount. The present investigation has uncovered the broadest range of diverse chromo-phoric systems and oxydation levels so far found amongst diterpenoids in a single plant species. Most important for an understanding of the metabolic fate of an iso-propyl group is the full range found with the following metabolic stages: isopropyl-→ hydroxyisopropyl → dihydrofuran and spirocyclopropane → allyl- and 2-hydroxypropyl groups.     

(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 .     

Das Carotinoidspektrum der Hagebutten von Rosa pomifera: Nachweis von (5Z)-Neurosporin; Synthese von (3R, 15Z)-Rubixanthin

Carotenoids from Hips of Rosa pomifera: Discovery of (5Z)-Neurosporene; Synthesis of (3R, 15Z)-Rubixanthin Extensive chromatographic separations of the mixture of carotenoids from ripe hips of R. pomifera have led to the identification of 43 individual compounds, namely (Scheme 2): (15 Z)-phytoene (1) , (15 Z)-phytofluene (2) , all-(E)-phytofluene (2a) , ξ-carotene (3) , two mono-(Z)-ξ-carotenes ( 3a and 3b ), (6 R)-?, ψ-carotene (4) , a mono-(Z)-?, ψ-carotene (4a) , β, ψ-carotene (5) , a mono-(Z)-β, ψ-carotene (5a) , neurosporene (6) , (5 Z)-neurosporene (6a) , a mono-(Z)-neurosporene (6b) , lycopene (7) , five (Z)-lycopenes (7a–7e) , β, β-carotene (8) , two mono-(Z)-β, β-carotenes (probably (9 Z)-β, β-carotene (8a) and (13 Z)-β, β-carotene (8b) ), β-cryptoxanthin (9) , three (Z)-β-cryptoxanthins (9a–9c) , rubixanthin (10) , (5′ Z)-rubixanthin (=gazaniaxanthin; 10a ), (9′ Z)-rubixanthin (10b) , (13′ Z)- and (13 Z)-rubixanthin (10c and 10d , resp.), (5′ Z, 13′ Z)- or (5′ Z, 13 Z)-rubixanthin (10e) , lutein (11) , zeaxanthin (12) , (13 Z)-zeaxanthin (12b) , a mono-(Z)-zeaxanthin (probably (9 Z)-zeaxanthin (12a) ), (8 R)-mutatoxanthin (13) , (8 S)-mutatoxanthin (14) , neoxanthin (15) , (8′ R)-neochrome (16) , (8′ S)-neochrome (17) , a tetrahydroxycarotenoid (18?) , a tetrahydroxy-epoxy-carotenoid (19?) , and a trihydroxycarotenoid of unknown structure. Rubixanthin (10) and (5′ Z)-rubixanthin (10a) can easily be distinguished by HPLC. separation and CD. spectra at low temperature. The synthesis of (3 R, 15 Z)-rubixanthin (29) is described. The isolation of (5 Z)-neurosporene (6a) supports the hypothesis that the ?-end group arises by enzymatic cyclization of precursors having a (5 Z)- or (5′ Z)-configuration.     

Totalsynthese von Decarboxybetalainen durch photochemische Ringöffnung von 3-(4-Pyridyl)alanin

Total Synthesis of Decarboxybetalaines by Photochemical Ring Opening of 3-(4-Pyridyl)alanine A photochemical approach is presented for the total synthesis of the decarboxybetalaines, which were previously known from the mild decarboxylation of the natural plant colorants, the betalaines: Irradiation of rac-3-(4-pyridyl)alanine ( 1 ) yielded the rac-2-decarboxybetalamic-acid-imine ( 4 , 86%), presumably via a Dewar pyridine 2 , a cyclic aminal 3 and an electrocyclic ring opening. The imine-zwitterion 4 was treated with three amines, namely (S)-cyclodopa ( 6 ), (S)-proline ( 7 ), and indoline ( 8 ), to afford three decarboxybetalaines, namely (2S)-17-decarboxybetanidine ( 9 , red, 34%), (2S)-13-decarboxyindicaxanthine ( 10 , yellow, 56%), and rac-16-decarboxyindobetalaine ( 11 , orange, 78%), respectively. The structures of these coloring matters were confirmed by their electrophoretic behavior and their spectroscopic properties. 17-Decarboxybetanidine 9 was shown to be a ca. 1:1 mixture of two C(15)-epimers 9a and 9b , separable by chromatography. The configuration of 9a was determined as (2S, 15S) and that of 9b as (2S, 15R), by correlating their optical rotations with those of betanidine ( 12a ) and isobetanidine ( 12b ), respectively. The decarboxybetalaines 9 , 10 , and 11 did not show the double-bond isomerism at C(β), (Cγ) of the chromophore which had been found characteristic for the corresponding betalaines 12 , 13 , and 14 .     

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 .     

Über Pterinchemie 81. Mitteilung Die Konfiguration an C(6) von natürlichem 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-L-biopterin und seinem Pentaacetylderivat

The Configuration at C(6) of Natural 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-L-biopterin and of its Pentaacetate The structure of (6.R)-pentaacetyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin, one of two diastereoisomers obtained by catalytic hydrogenation and subsequent acetylation of L-biopterin, has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The space group is P2₁2₁2₁, a=8,053(l), b=14,955(3), c= 21,502 (4) Å. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule of the biopterin derivative and one of ethyl acetate. The R-configuration can be assigned to C(6) by reference to the known configurations of the other asymmetric C-atoms. As hydrolysis of this diastereoisomer yields the natural 5, 6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin, the latter also possesses the (6 R)-configuration.     

C45- and C50-Carotehoids. Part 8. Synthesis of (all-E,2S,2′S)-bacterioruberin, (all-E,2S,2′S)-monoanhydrobacterioruberin, (all-E,2S,2′S)-bisanhydrobacterioruberin, (all- E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydrobisanhydro- bacterioruberin,and (all-E,S)-2-isopentenyl-3,4-dehydrorhodopin

Starting from (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid ((R)- 10 ) the C₄₅- and C₅₀-carotenoids (all-E,2S,2′S)-bacterioruberm ( 1 ), (all-E,2S,2′S)-monoanhydrobacterioruberin ( 2 ), (all-E,2S,2′S)-bisanhydrobacterioruberin ( 3 ), (all-E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydrobisanhydrobacterioruberin ( 5 ), and (all-E,S)-2-isopentenyl-3,4-dehydrorhodopin ( 6 ) were synthesized. By comparison of the chiroptical data of the natural and the synthetic compounds, the (2S)- and (2′S)-configuration of the natural products 1–3 and 6 was established.     

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.     

Zur Konfiguration des Vitamin-D3-Metaboliten 25, 26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol: Synthese von (25S,26)- und (25R,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol

Configuration of the Vitamin-D₃-Metabolite 25,26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol: Synthesis of (25S,26)- and (25R,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol For selective synthesis of the title compounds, (25S)- 1b and (25R)- 1b (Scheme 1), the protected cholesterol precursors (25S)- 6 and (25R)- 6 were prepared from stigmasterol-derived steroid-units 4a-d and C₅-side chain building blocks 5a–d by Grignard- or Wittig-coupling (Scheme 2), the configuration at C(25) of the target compounds being already present in the C₅-units. Conversion of the cholesterol intermediates to the corresponding vitamin-D₃ derivatives was carried out via the 7,8-didehydrocholesterol compounds (25S)- 2b and (25R)- 2b (Scheme 1), using the established photochemical-thermal transformation of the 5,7-diene system to the seco-triene system of cholecalciferol. The configuration at C(25) of the cholesterol precursors as assigned on basis of the known configuration of the C₅-units used, was found to be in agreement with the result of a single crystal X-ray analysis on compound 11 . The configuration at C(25) remained untouched on conversion of the cholesterol ring system to the seco-triene system of vitamin D₃ as evident from comparison of the lanthanide-induced CD. Cotton effects observed for (25S)- 3b and (25S) 1b . 25,26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol observed as a natural vitamin-D₃ metabolite has (25S)-configuration.     

Synthese von enantiomerenreinen Violaxanthinen und verwandten Verbindungen

Syntheses of Enantiomerically Pure Violaxanthins and Related Compounds The epoxides 16 and ent- 16 , prepared by Sharpless-Katsuki oxidation of 15 in excellent yield and very high enantiomeric purity, were used as synthons for the preparation of (+)-(S)-didehydrovomifoliol (45) , (+)-(6S, 7E, 9E)-abscisic ester 46 , (+)-(6S, 7E, 9Z)-abscsic ester 47 , (?)-(3S, 7E, 9E)-xanthoxin (49) , (?)-(3R, 7E, 9E)-xanthoxin (50) , (3S, 5R, 6S, 3′S,5′R, 6′S, all-E)-violaxanthin (1) (3R, 5R,6S,3′R,5′R,6′S, all-E)-violaxanthin (55) and their (9Z) (see 53 , 57 ), (13Z) (see 54 , 58 ), and (15Z) (see 60 ) isomers. The novel violadione ( 61 ) was prepared from 1 by oxidation with DMSO/Ac₂O. By base treatment, 61 was converted into violadienedione (62) , a potential precursor of carotenoids with phenolic end groups.     

Synthese von optisch aktiven,natürlichen Carotinoiden und strukturell verwandten Naturprodukten. IX. Synthese von (3R)-Hydroxyechinenon, (3R, 3′R)- und (3R, 3′S)-Adonixanthin, (3R)-Adonirubin,deren optischen Antipoden und verwandten Verbindungen

Synthesis of Optically Active Natural Carotenoids and Structurally Related Compounds. IX. Synthesis of (3R)-Hydroxyechinenone, (3R, 3′R)- and (3R, 3′S)-Adonixanthin, (3R)-Adonirubin, Their Optical Antipodes and Related Compounds The synthesis of racemic and optically active hydroxyechinenone ( 12–14 ), adonixanthin ( 16–19 ), adonirubin ( 22–24 ), meso-astaxanthin ( 26 ) and their corresponding diosphenols 15, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28 , and 29 ) by Wittig reaction is reported, starting from suitable C₁₅-phosphonium salts and C₁₀-aldehydes.     

Synthesen von enantiomerenreinen Apoviolaxanthin-säuren, -olen und -alen (Persicaxanthin,Sinensiaxanthin und β-Citraurin-epoxid) und ihrer furanoiden Umlagerungsprodukte

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Apoviolaxanthinoic Acids, Apoviolaxanthinols, and Apoviolaxanthinals (Including Persicaxanthin, Sinensiaxanthin, and β-Citraurin Epoxide) and of their Furanoid Rearrangement Products Starting from (1′S,2′R,4′S,2E,4E)-5-(1′,2′-epoxy-4′-hydroxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohexy1)-3-methy1-2,4-pentadienal ( 3 ), a recently described synthon [6], a full range of C₂₀-, C₂₅-, C₂₇-, and C₃₀-polyenic acids, alcohols, and aldehydes and their (8R)- and (8S)-diastereoisomeric furanoid rearrangement products was prepared. The synthetic C₂₅-alcohols proved to be identical with persicaxanthin (= 12′-apoviolaxanthin-12′-ol) and perisicachromes (= 12′-apoauroxanthin-12′-ols) and the C₂₇-alcohols analogously with sinensiaxanthin and sinensiachromes. A correlation between the sign of the Cotton effects in the CD spectra of 5,6-and 5,8-epoxides and their configuration at C(6) and C(8), respectively, was established.     

Asymmetrische Micheal-Additionen. Praktisch vollständigdiastereo- und enantioselektive Alkylierungen des Enamins aus Cyclohexanon und Prolinylmethyläther.durch ω-Nitrostyrole zu u-2-(l′-Aryl-2′-nitroäthyl)cyclohexanonen

Asymmetric Michael-Additions Practically Completely Diastereo- and Enantloselective Alkylations of the Enamine from Cyclohexanone and Prolinyl Methyl Ether by ω-Nitrostyrenes to Give u2-(1′-Aryl-2′-nitroethyl)cyclohexanones When the enamine (S)-N-(1′cyclohexenyl)-2-methoxymethyl-pyrrolidine is added to 2-aryl-l-nitroethylenes, only one of the four possible enantiomerically pure diastereomers is formed. Hydrolysis of the crude primary products furnishes α-alkylated cyclohexanones of > 90% e. e. ( 3 , Scheme 3). Their (2S,1′R)-configuration was deduced by chemical correlation with l-cyclohexyl-l-phenyl-ethane and from an X-ray crystal structure analysis of (?)-(2R,3S,6′R1,l″S′)-3-methyl-N-[6′-(2″-nitro-l″-phenylethyl)-l′-cyclohexenyl]-2-phenylmorpholine ( lla , Scheme 5 and Fig. 2). - The relative topicity of reactant approach with the prolinol derivative (see II ) is specified as lkul-l,4. The steric course and the mechanism of the reaction are discussed.     

Diterpenoide Drüsenfarbstoffe: Coleon L,ein neues Diosphenol aus Coleus somaliensis S. MOORE; Revision der Strukturen von Coleon H,I, I′ und K

Leaf-gland Pigments: Coleon L, a New Diosphenolic Compound from Coleus somaliensis, S. MOORE ; Revision of the Structures of Coleon H, I, I′ and K From leaf-glands of C. somaliensis a new, highly oxidized diosphenolic hydroquinone belonging to the abietane series was isolated in minute quantities. The new compound, coleon L ( 4c ; C₂₄H₃₀O₁₀), is very labile and transformed into its tautomer coleon K (5d) on standing in solution. ¹H-NMR. spectra of coleon L showed clearly that the points of attachment of the two acetoxy groups are at C(3) and C(16) contrary to the positions expected from our previously published structure 3 for coleon K. Application of a recently elaborated conversion of trans-A/B-6,7-diketones of type 5 into the cis-isomers 6 allowed to assign unambiguously the β-configuration to the hydroxyl group at C(3) using pyridin induced solvent shifts. This confirmed structure 4c and 5d for coleon L and K, respectively. Based on similar reasons, the configuration at C(3) of coleon H, I and I′ had to be revised, the structures of these coleons being 4b , 5b and 5c , respectively.