Two New Abietane Diterpenoids from the Roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.

Two new abietane‐type diterpenoids, named triptobenzene R ( 1 ) and triptobenzene S ( 2 ), together with three known abietane‐type diterpenoids, triptophenolide ( 3 ), triptonodiol ( 4 ), and triptonoterpene methyl ether ( 5 ), were isolated from the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook . f. Their structures and relative configurations were established by detailed spectral studies, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), and HR‐ESI‐TOF‐MS, and by comparison with published data. Their absolute configurations were assigned by the CD technique, applied for the first time to abietane diterpenes from Tripterygium wilfordii. Compound 2 is the first abietane‐type norditerpenoid isolated from the genus Tripterygium.     

Prenylated Benzene Metabolites from Melicope pteleifolia

Chemical investigation on the stem and root of Melicope pteleifolia afforded three new prenylated benzene metabolites as racemic mixtures, named pteleifolins A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.). Their gross structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D‐NMR experiments. An enantiomer resolution of (±)‐ 1 using chiral HPLC was performed, and the absolute configuration of the enantiomers were determined to be (+)‐(S)‐ 1 and (?)‐(R)‐ 1 by means of circular‐dichroism analysis.     

Solid-Liquid Phase Transfer Catalytic Synthesis XII

The anion derived from diethyl malonate reacts with a series of halides readly under microwave irradiation, and the isolated yield of alkylated products varying from 64% to 86%.     

One-Pot Etherification of Ketones and Aldehydes with Organic Halides Using Sodium Hydride as a Reductant

One-pot etherification reaction of aromatic and some aliphatic carbonyl compounds with organic halides in the presence of sodium hydride as a reducing reagent proceeded smoothly in dioxane, a polar solvent with higher boiling point, to provide desired ethers in moderate to high yields.     

Some Novel Quinone-Type Compounds Containing Arylseleno Groups Derived from Tetrachloro-1, 4-Benzoquinone and 2, 3-Dichloro-1, 4-Naphthoquinone

Tetrachloro-1, 2-benzoquinone and 2, 3-dichloro-1, 4-naphthoquinone react with a series of aryl and alkyl selenolate, generated either by the reaction of Grignard reagents and selenium powder or by the reduction of diselenides with NaBH₄, to give 3, 6-diarylseleno-2, 5-dichloro-1, 4-benzoquinones 3 and 2, 3-diarylseleno-1, 4-naphthoquinones 4 in good yields.     

Facile Preparation and Molecular Structure of a Novel Metacyclophane

Abstract

A novel 1,1,10,10,19,19-hexamethyl-5,14,23-trimethoxy[3.3.3]metacyclophane (2) was prepared in 25% yield by Friedel–Crafts cyclization of 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylbutan-2-ol (1) at ? 78 °C using TiCl₄ as Lewis acid catalyst in anhydrous dichloromethane. The structure of cyclophane 2 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the impact of substrate concentration on the yield of macrocycle 2 was also examined. The study on the effect of substituents at the phenyl ring showed that the methoxy group in 1 is crucial for its trimerization to give the hexamethyl[3.3.3]metacyclophane derivative. Demethylation of 2 with BBr₃ gave 1,1,10,10,19,19-hexamethyl-5,14,23-trihydroxy[3.3.3]metacyclophane (4) in 96% yield, and its three hydroxyl groups provide the possible modification sites for further construction of supramolecular assemblies.     

New Cytotoxic Triterpenoids from the Aerial Parts of Euphorbia sieboldiana

Phytochemical investigation of the EtOH extract of Euphorbia sieboldiana led to the isolation of four new oleanane‐type triterpenoids, (1β,2α,3β,19β)‐1,2,3,19‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, (1β,3β,19β)‐1,3,19‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, (1β,2α,3β,16β,19β)‐1,2,3,16,19‐pentahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, and (1β,2α,3β,19β,23)‐1,2,3,19,23‐pentahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, along with 16 known compounds. Their structures were established by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, as well as other spectral analyses. Biological evaluation of the four new triterpenoids revealed potent cytotoxic activities against HeLa and Hep‐G2 cells.     

Calculations of dynamic dipole polarizabilities of Li and Na atoms in debye plasma using the model potential technique

The effects of Debye plasma on the frequency‐dependent polarizabilities of Li and Na atoms are investigated using symplectic algorithm within the framework of the pseudostate summation technique. Dynamic dipole polarizabilities of Li (2s ²S) and Na(3s ²S) as functions of scaled number density of the plasma electrons for arbitrary plasma temperature are presented. Screening effects on the resonance frequencies are also presented. In free‐atomic cases, our calculated results are comparable with the reported theoretical and experimental predictions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The electronic structures and charge transfer properties of tetra(naphthalene‐dione)porphyrins and tetra(naphthalene‐dithione)porphyrins as dye‐sensitized solar cell skeleton

The p‐π conjugation of tetra(naphthalene‐dione)porphyrins and tetra(naphthalene‐dithione)porphyrins is clarified on the basis of density functional theory studies. When carbonyl/thionyl is introduced, π bonds on the molecular skeleton become strong–weak alternated, and the conjugation transforms from “benzene‐type” to “butadiene‐type.” The unidirectional photon‐induced current associated with the p‐π conjugation enables the light‐harvesting efficiency of this kind of molecular skeleton reaches 90% in the range of 300–800 nm. Therefore, these compounds are ideal alternative for panchromatic dye‐sensitized solar cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Microwave‐assisted Aqueous Multicomponent Reaction: Facile Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Indoline‐spiro Fused Pyran Derivatives

A green and highly efficient method for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized indoline‐spiro fused pyran derivatives has been established. This reaction was conducted by reacting readily available and inexpensive starting materials, such as isatins, cyclic‐1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, and malononitrile in aqueous media without any catalysts under microwave irradiation. The present green synthesis shows fascinating properties such as the use of water as the reaction solution, concise one‐pot conditions, short reaction periods (8–14 min), and easy purifications. The synthesis could also set a good example to GAP (Group‐Assistant‐Purification) chemistry in which purification via chromatography can be avoided and the pure products can be easily acquired only by washing the crude products with 95% EtOH.