Unprecedented single-pot protocol for the synthesis of N1, C6-linked bicyclic 3,4-dihydropyrimidinones via lithiation of Biginelli compounds

4-Aryl/alkyl-6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one ester derivatives readily undergo metalation at the C6 methyl (vinylogous ester) position along with two acidic NHs upon treatment with n-butyllithium at −10 °C. The trianion of DHPMs thus obtained react smoothly with various terminal dibromoalkanes to afford N1, C6-linked bicyclic DHPM derivatives, which represent key structural features of the medicinally potent marine alkaloids such as batzelladine A and crambescin A.     

Synthesis of vinca alkaloids and related compounds. Part 110: A new synthetic method for the preparation of pandoline-type alkaloid-like molecules

A practicable synthesis of a pandoline-type alkaloid-like molecule is reported through an efficient preparation of carbinolamine ether intermediates (9a and 9b). The key step of the synthesis consists of an intramolecular cycloaddition of the secodine-type intermediate (2), which was formed from the tryptamine derivative (3) and lactol (4). The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction was investigated by quantum chemical calculations and it was found to follow a step-wise mechanism involving a zwitterionic intermediate (15). By employing this strategy, other members of the family of pandoline alkaloids or alkaloid-like molecules could be synthesized by reacting the tryptamine derivative with appropriately functionalized aldehydes.     

A selector/selectand molecular complex for the study of enantiodiscriminative processes

The structure of the molecular complex between the chiral selector (+)1-(3-allylpropyl)-(5R,8S,10R)-N,N-diethyl-N′-[6-methyl ergolin-8-yl]urea, C₂₃H₃₃N₄O, (allyl-terguride) and the HPLC more retained (S)-enantiomer of dansyl-tryptophan, C₂₃H₂₃N₃O₄S, has been determined. It is a part of the study on the chiral recognition mechanism of ergot alkaloids, when used in chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for the separation of racemic mixture of organic acids by liquid chromatographic methods. At the pH of crystallization conditions, which mimic those corresponding to the best enantiodiscriminative activity, each molecule of (S)-dansyl-tryptophan is locked to a molecule of allyl-terguride by hydrogen bonds and by C–H···π edge-to-face interactions.     

Study of alkaloids of the Siberian and Altai flora

Lappaconitine and N-deacetyllappaconitine derivatives containing bromine and iodine atoms in the aromatic moiety were synthesized. The Heck cross-coupling of these halides with ethyl acrylate or 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine afforded new olefinated lappaconitine derivatives. Dedicated to the memory of Academician V. A. Koptyug on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of his birth. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1038–1044, June, 2006.     

Preparative separation of isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens using middle chromatogram isolated gel column coupled with positively charged reversed‐phase liquid chromatography

Positively charged reversed‐phase liquid chromatography was employed for the efficient preparative separation of isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens. Ten commercially available columns were compared for isoquinoline alkaloids analysis. While tailing, overloading, lower resolution, and buffer salts limited the application in purification of isoquinoline compounds of many of these columns, one positively charged reversed‐phase C18 column (XCharge C18) overcame these drawbacks, allowing for favorable separation resolution, even when loading isoquinoline compounds on a larger, preparative scale. The general separation process is as follows. First, isoquinoline alkaloids are enriched with Corydalis impatiens extract via a middle chromatogram isolated gel column. After column selection, separation is performed on an XCharge C18 analytical column, from which two evident chromatographic peaks are readily obtained. Finally, two isoquinoline alkaloids (protopine and corydamine) are selectively purified on the XCharge C18 preparative column. These results demonstrate that a middle chromatogram isolated gel column coupled with positively charged reversed‐phase liquid chromatography is effective for the preparative separation of isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens.     

Isolation and purification of alkaloids from the fruits of Macleaya cordata by ionic‐liquid‐modified high‐speed counter‐current chromatography

Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br. is a medicinal plant. The most important bioactive compounds of M. cordata are alkaloids that have many biological activities including antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, and antitumor. In this study, an ionic‐liquid‐modified high‐speed counter‐current chromatography method was established to obtain alkaloids from the fruits of M. cordata. The conditions of ionic‐liquid‐modified high‐speed counter‐current chromatography, including solvent systems, the content of ionic liquid (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C₄mim][BF₄]), and the posttreatment of the ionic liquid, were investigated. Five alkaloids protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine, 8‐O‐demethylchelerythrine, and chelerythrine were separated from the extract of the fruits using a high speed counter‐current chromatography with two‐phase solvent system composed of dichloromethane/methanol/0.3 mol/L hydrochloric acid aqueous solution/[C₄mim][BF₄] (4:2:2:0.015, v/v). Their purities were 96.33, 95.56, 97.94, 96.22, and 97.90%, respectively. The results indicated that a small amount of ionic liquids as modifier of the two‐phase solvent system could shorten the separation time and improve the separation efficiency of the alkaloids from the fruits. The ionic‐liquid‐modified high‐speed counter‐current chromatography would provide a feasible way for highly effective separation of alkaloids from natural products.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids for the entire process quality control from Senecio scandens to Senecio scandens‐containing preparations by high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

Senecio scandens as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine that is used alone or in combination with other herbs in preparations such as QianBai BiYan tablets has attracted much attention because of its hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Nowadays, most studies for pyrrolizidine alkaloids are only performed on herbs or a preparation, however, production of preparations is a dynamic process, control of toxic impurities for raw materials, or finished products cannot monitor the production process dynamically. Thus, in this study, qualitative and quantitative analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids for the entire process quality control from S. scandens to its preparations was carried out with HPLC‐MS/MS for the first time, which was more comprehensive and dynamic than the previous single‐layer analysis. First, the species of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in S. scandens were analyzed, and the characteristic fragmentation rules of pyrrolizidine alkaloids containing common parent nucleus were found, which can be used to identify these components rapidly in the future. Then, a quantitative method for S. scandens to QianBai BiYan tablets and other nine S. scandens‐containing preparations was established, and after the medication safety speculation, all of them met the relevant safety requirements. After that, in order to ensure the stability and controllable of drug quality, the limit of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in preparations was determined according to the safe dosage that is stipulated to be the same as raw materials. Finally, the factors causing the content change of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in S. scandens from different source were studies, which can provide theoretical basis for selecting suitable raw materials for production.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Cymoside through a Bioinspired Oxidative Cyclization of a Strictosidine Derivative

The first total synthesis of the caged monoterpene indole alkaloid cymoside is reported. This natural product displays a unique hexacyclic‐fused skeleton whose biosynthesis implies an early oxidative cyclization of strictosidine. Our approach to the furo[3,2‐b]indoline framework relied on an unprecedented biomimetic sequence which started by the diastereoselective oxidation of the indole ring into a hydroxyindolenine which triggered the addition of an enol ether and was followed by the trapping of an oxocarbenium intermediate.     

Simultaneous Production of Psilocybin and a Cocktail of β-Carboline Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in “Magic” Mushrooms

The psychotropic effects of Psilocybe “magic” mushrooms are caused by the l -tryptophan-derived alkaloid psilocybin. Despite their significance, the secondary metabolome of these fungi is poorly understood in general. Our analysis of four Psilocybe species identified harmane, harmine, and a range of other l -tryptophan-derived β-carbolines as their natural products, which was confirmed by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Stable-isotope labeling with ¹³C₁₁-l -tryptophan verified the β-carbolines as biosynthetic products of these fungi. In addition, MALDI-MS imaging showed that β-carbolines accumulate toward the hyphal apices. As potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidases, β-carbolines are neuroactive compounds and interfere with psilocybin degradation. Therefore, our findings represent an unprecedented scenario of natural product pathways that diverge from the same building block and produce dissimilar compounds, yet contribute directly or indirectly to the same pharmacological effects.