Synthesis of (−)-elemoxide,a commercially important fragrance compound

(?)-Elemoxide, a fragrant compound was synthesised using commercially available elemol in four steps with overall yield of 32%. The cyclic ether skeleton was constructed via intramolecular hydroalkoxylation using I₂ and PhSiH₃ catalytic system. Also, intramolecular oxymercuration-demercuration was employed as an alternate approach for cyclization. The various regioselective strategies involving epoxidation of alkene, reduction of epoxide and intramolecular cyclization were the highlights of the work. The key intermediate diol serves as a versatile intermediate for the synthesis of elemoxide and elemene.     

Reaction of Elemol with Acetic Acid/Perchloric Acid: Characterization of a Novel Oxide and (+)‐β‐Cyperone

The minor unidentified compounds of the acetic acid/perchloric acid dehydration of elemol ( 1 ) were fully characterized. The structure and relative configuration of the less polar fragrant compound 2 , named elemoxide, was deduced by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data including C,C‐connectivity, NOE, and NOESY experiments. The absolute configuration was established as (3S,3aR,7aR)‐1,3,3a,4,7,7a‐hexahydro‐6‐isopropyl‐1,1,3,3a‐tetramethylisobenzofuran ( 2 ) on the basis of its preparation from elemol ( 1 ). (+)‐β‐cyperone ( 3 ), a known sesquiterpene, was also identified as a minor product of the reaction. A plausible mechanistic explanation for the formation of elemoxide ( 2 ) and (+)‐β‐cyperone ( 3 ) is presented.     

Antimicrobial Lipids from the Hemolymph of Brachyuran Crabs

The potential of marine crabs as a source of biologically active products is largely unexplored. In the present study, antimicrobial activity of the hemolymph (plasma) and hemocytes (plasma cells) of six brachyuran crabs was investigated against 16 pathogenic strains. Among the 16 strains tested maximum zone of inhibition was recorded in the hemolymph of Hyas araneus against Shigella flexineri. Interestingly Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi were susceptible to all the hemolymph and hemocytes samples. Likewise, the highest zone of inhibition was exhibited by both hemolymph and hemocytes samples against Vibrio cholerae. On the basis of TLC, ¹HNMR, and ¹³CNMR it may be concluded that the antimicrobial activity in the hemolymph extract is due to the presence of lipids. This observation is further supported by the ESI-MS of the methanolic extract of hemolymph of H. araneus. ESI-MS shows cluster of peaks in the region m/z 445 to m/z 491 due to lysoglycerolipids/glycerides and cluster of signals between m/z 216 and 246, due to fatty acids/esters present in the sample.     

New bromotyrosine alkaloids from the marine sponge Psammaplysilla purpurea

Seven new bromotyrosine alkaloids Purpurealidin A, B, C, D, F, G, H and the known compounds Purealidin Q, Purpurealidin E, 16-Debromoaplysamine-4 and Purpuramine I have been isolated from the marine sponge Psammaplysilla purpurea. Their structure was elucidated on the basis of detailed 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic data. Purpurealidin B, 16-Debromoaplysamine-4 and Purpuramine I exhibited in vitro antimicrobial activities against E. coli, S. aureus, and V. cholerae. In addition, Purpurealidin B and 16-Debromoaplysamine-4 were also active against Shigella flexineri and Salmonella typhi while Purealidin Q was bactericidal only against Salmonella typhi.