ALBERT

Notes: Azimines. IITeil I, siehe [1]. . Preparation and Thermal Fragmentation of cis- and trans-2,3-Diphenyl-1-phthalimido-2,3-di[15N]-azimine Teilweise vorgetragen in der Versammlung der Schweizerischen Chemischen Gesellschaft am 8./9. Oktober 1976 in Genf und als Autoreferat veröffentlicht [2].cis- and trans-2,3-Diphenyl-1-phthalimido-2,3-di[15N]-azimine (11 and 12) wer synthesized from cis-di[15N]-azobenzene (10) and phthalimido-nitrene (2), the latter generated by lead tetraacetate oxidation of N-aminophthalimide (1). Useful information was obtained from the comparison of several data of 11 and 12 with those of the unmarked diphenyl-azimines 5 and 6 (R = C6H5).The 15N- and 13C-NMR. spectra of 11 and 12 were interpreted to furnish additional evidence for the azimine structure and for the indicated configurations. The IR. spectra permitted identification of two bands in the 1200 to 1450 cm-1 region, probably characteristic for the functionality of diaryl-phthalimido-azimines. Comparison of the mass spectrum of 11/12 with that of the unmarked analogues 5/6 (R = C6H5) permitted the interpretation of the fragmentation path of 1-phthalimidoazimines. The major path may be the purely thermal decomposition to 13 and 7 (R = C6H5), respectively. Two other competing fragmentation paths are discussed.Prolonged thermolysis of 11 at 61° in solution gave 83% of N,N′-diphenyl-N N′-phthaloyl-di[15N]-hydrazine (13) of 98% isotope purity, which means that the imide nitrogen atom and N(1) of the azimine function are removed in this reaction. A mechanism passing through an intermediate cyclic tetrazene 16 is considered.Benzocyclobutenedione (14) added to trans-azobenzene (4, R = C6H5) under the influence of a high pressure lamp in a quarz apparatus to give N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-phthaloyl-hydrazine (7, R = C6H5). This reaction was found not to take place in the dark, even after prolonged heating in trichloromethane.

Notes: Azimines. I. Synthesis and Stereoisomerism of 2, 3-Diaryl- and 2, 3-Dialkyl-1-phthalimido-aziminesTeilweise vorgetragen in der Versammlung der Schweizerischen Chemischen Gesellschaft in Lausanne am 7./8. Mai 1971 und als Autoreferat veröffentlicht [1].Special examples of a new class of compounds, the open-chain azimines (1), have been prepared and their properties examined.Addition of phthalimido-nitrene (4), generated by lead tetraacetate oxidation of N-aminophthalimide (3), to cis- and trans-azobenzene (6 and 5), -azo-p-toluene (8 and 7), and to trans-azomethane (9), -azoethane (10) and -azo-α-phenylethane (11) afforded the separable cis- and trans-isomers of 2, 3-diphenyl- (12 and 13), 2, 3-di-p-toyl- (14 and 15), 2, 3-dimethyl- (16 and 17), 2, 3-diethyl- (18 and 19) and 2, 3-di-(α-phenylethyl)-1-phthalimido-azimines (20 and 21) in different ratios (see Scheme 1).The constitution of the nitrene azo compound adducts as azimines was derived from their properties, especially from the conjugation effect (visible in the UV. spectra) of the aryl-substituted compounds and from the non-equivalence (shown by the 1H-NMR. spectra) of the substituents on the two nitrogen atoms derived from the azo compounds. This evidence excluded the triaziridine 22 and an alternative azimine constitution 23 for the adducts.Of the two stereoisomers obtained for each of the azimines, the aryl-substituted examples 12/13 and 14/15 were readily interconverted by warming in solution, the cis-isomers 12 and 14 exceeding the trans-isomers 13 and 15 in the equilibrium. The dialkyl-azimines appear to be configurationally more stable, since interconversion of the dimethyl-azimines 16 and 17 was not possible under the same conditions, and also not before another thermal reaction took place (see below).The identification of the N(2)-N(3) bond as the stereogenic center, i.e. that the stereoisomerism of the azimines is due to the difference in relative position at N(2) and N(3) of the substituents derived from the azo compounds, as well as a configurational assignment was possible in the aryl-substituted examples on the basis of the UV. spectroscopic comparison of the isomeric azimines with the corresponding stereoisomeric azoxy compounds: The cis-azimines 12 and 14 showed absorptions similar to those of cis-azoxybenzene and cis-azoxy-p-toluene, and the trans-azimines 13 and 15 showed absorptions similar to those of the respective trans-azoxy compounds. With respect to the configuration of the alkyl-substituted azimines, it was observed that the isomers 17 and 19, which from their formation and chromatographic behaviour are likely to be the trans-isomers, show a visible coupling (∽ 1 Hz) between the two H (α)'s in the 1H-NMR. spectrum, whereas the dimethyl isomer 16 (cis) does not exhibit such a coupling.Thermal treatment of four azimines, namely 12, 14, 16 and 17, in solution for a longer time afforded the corresponding N, N′-disubstituted N, N′-phthaloyl-hydrazines 27, 28 and 29. The order of velocity of this fragmentation with nitrogen extrusion was 12/13 ≍ 14/15 〉 16(cis) 〉 17(trans).

Notes: The 6-chloro-2-cyclohexenones 3, 6 and 11, and the 5-chloro-2-cyclopentenone 15 were newly synthesized. The results obtained with compounds 3 and 15 in photocycloadditions to olefins show that the oxetane vs. cyclobutane product ratio is reduced by the substitution of florine by chlorine in the α′ -position of the enone. No oxetanes are formed in the intramolecular photocycloaddition of 6. Compound 11 does not photoadd to olefins. The newly synthesized 2-chloro-3-cyclohexenones 8 and 9 are also photostable towards light of λ=366 nm, but π-π*-excitation (λ=254 nm) in pentane leads to the formation of 4,4-dimethylcyclohexanone (29).

Notes: Polynuclear Cobalt Complexes. II. Preparation and Structure of [(tren) (NH3)Co(O2)Co(NH3) (tren)](SCN)4 · 2H2OThe title compound is obtained on oxygenation of [Co(tren)(H2O)2]2+ in 6M aqueous ammonia or by ligand exchange starting from [(NH3)5Co(O2)Co(NH3)5]-(NO3)4. An X-ray structure determination was made. The substance forms monoclinic crystals, space group P21/c, lattice constants a=10,135, b=8,473, c=19,484 Å, β=108,58°, with two formula units in the cell. The final R is 0,066. The binuclear cation has a center of symmetry, so the Co—O—O—Co unit is planar; the Co—O—O angle is 111,5°. The tertiary nitrogen atoms of both chelate groups are cis to the O2 bridge, as found in doubly bridged [(tren)Co(O2,OH)Co(tren)](ClO4)3 · 3H2O.On acidification in solution, the singly bridged cation [(tren) (NH3)CoO2Co(NH3)(tren)]4+ (a) loses the bound O2 completely. But unlike the doubly bridged cation b, the rate of dissociation of a is independent of pH (Fig. 5). At higher pH (8-10) bridging a→b (Fig. 2) occurs. Both reactions must have the same rate determining step, the first order rate constants being of the order of 2 · 10-3 s-1 (25°, 0,35M KCl).

Notes: Following the intraperitoneal administration of high doses of 14C- and 3H- labelled retinoic acid (1) to rats, three major metabolites and the intact compound were isolated from the feces in microgram amounts by use of column, thin-layer and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry and Fourier Transform 1H-NMR. spectroscopy as 2 (all-trans-4-oxoretinoic acid), 3 (7-trans-9-cis-11-trans-13-trans-5′-hydroxy-retinoic acid).Hydroxylation of the 5-methyl group of the cyclohexene ring, oxidation of the cyclohexene ring in position 4 and cis-trans isomerisation of the nonatetraenoic acid side chain were the reactions, which produced these products from retinoic acid. The metabolites 2 and 4 each accounted for about 4% of the radioactivity administered. The metabolite 3 and the parent compound accounted for about 16% and 17% of the dose, respectively.

Notes: Novel types of acetylenic sugarsThe coupling, following Cadiot's procedure, of a 6-bromo-5,6-dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidène-3-O-methyl-α-D-xylo-hex-5-yno-1, 4-furanose (1) with phenylacetylene, 2-propyn-1-ol or terminal acetylenic sugars gave with excellent yields the expected diynes (an enediyne when the terminal acetylene was the 3,5, 6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glycero-hex-3-en-5-yno-1,4-furanose 7). The chloro analogue 8 of 1 on treatment with lithium thiophenate gave the corresponding phenylthio-acetylenic sugar 9. An acetylene was also formed by reacting the gem-difluoro-olefinic sugar 10 with butyllithium whereas the same olefinic sugar and its 3-O-benzyl analogue 11 gave only a gem-fluoro-arylthio-olefinic sugar (13-15) as a mixture of the Z and E isomers (Z/E 〉 4) when treated with the conjugate base of an arylmercaptan.

Notes: Some more examples of stable free radicals of carbohydrate heterocyclic derivatives2-Glycosyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline- 3-oxide-1-oxyls and 2-glycosyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline 1-oxyls have been prepared in nine carbohydrate series, which proves the generality of the method. The hyperfine coupling constant between the free electron and the α-proton of the glycosyl group is never very large (0-2.3 G) but a correlation between its value and the structure of the aglycone has been noted. Free radicals of that type, stable in aqueous solutions, are potentially interesting for biological studies.

Notes: Interpretation of the chemical and spectral (IR., UV., 1H- and 13C-NMR.) properties of the antitumor antibiotic hedamycin (C41H50N2O11) suggests that the molecule contains a methyl substituted 1-hydroxyanthraquinone nucleus, an α, β-unsaturated ketone, two sugar-like tetrahydropyran rings (4 and 8) and an aliphatic chain 2, presumably with an epoxy group (see the Scheme).

Notes: Halogenated pyridines and 1,8-naphthyridines. VI.The principle of the synthesis of 3-halomethyl-2,6-dichloro-pyridines has been extended to compounds with side chains of more than one carbon atom in the 3-position. Feasible synthetic routes are outlined starting from cheap, commercially available α-methylideneglutaronitrile and trichloroalkyl functional compounds which yield the intermediate 1,3,5-trisubstituted alkanes. These are cyclized by aqueous mineral acid or by hydrogen bromide in an organic solvent to 2-substituted glutarimids or hexahydronaphthyridinones, depending on the mode of cyclization. The final aromatization provides a simple route to pyridines or 1, 8-naphthyridines.

Notes: Proton catalysed [1,2]-H-shift in the rearrangement of 6,7-diphenyl-5,6-dihydropterine (I) to 6,7-diphenyl-7,8-dihydropterine (III)The arrangement from I to the thermodynamically more stable III undergoes through a acid catalysed [1,2]-H-shift (intramolecular 6,7-hydride rearrangement) (see Scheme 1).

Notes: Reaktionen von 1,3,5,7-Tetramethyl-anti-tricyclo[5.1.0.03,5]octan-2,6-diolen und deren 4,4,8,8-Tetrachlor- und 4,8-Dichlorderivaten mit DiphosphortetrajodidEs wurden die P2I4-Reaktionen mit 1,3,5,7-Tetramethyl-anti-tricyclo[5.1.0.03,5]-octan-2,6-diolen (3/6), mit dem 4,8-Dichlorderivat 4 und mit den 4,4,8,8-Tetrachlorderivaten 5/7 untersucht. Dabei entstanden die Styrolderivate 9 und 12, die anti-Bishomobenzolderivate 8 und 11, ein Homotropylidenderivat 10, ein Cyclo-octatetraenderivat 13 und ein 9-Oxabicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4,7-trienderivat 15. Die Ausbeuten lagen zwischen 1 und 10%. Die Bildung aller dieser Produkte liess sich unter der Annahme der primären Umwandlung einer oder beider Hydroxylgruppen in Abgangsgruppen X oder X und Y (wahrscheinlich X=Y=I) mechanistisch deuten. Die Reaktion der Deschlorderivate 3/6 lieferte nach Substitution beider Hydroxyl-gruppen durch X und Y: (a) unter Abspaltung von HX und HY das Styrolderivat 9 (Schema 2) und (b) unter Abspaltung von XY das Homotropylidenderivat 10 (Schema 3a) und das Bishomobenzolderivat 8 (Schema 3b). Die Reaktion des 4,8-Dichlor-derivates 4 lieferte nach Substitution beider Hydroxylgruppen durch X und Y: (a) unter Abspaltung von HX und HY das Styrolderivat 12 (Schema 2), und (b) unter Abspaltung von XY das Bishomobenzolderivat 11 (Schema 3b). Die Reaktion mit den 4,4,8,8-Tetrachlorderivaten 5/7 lieferte: (a) nach Substitution beider Hydroxyl-gruppen durch X und Y unter Abspaltung von XCl und YCl das Cyclooctatetraen-derivat 13 (Schema 4), und (b) nach Substitution nur einer Hydroxylgruppe durch X unter Abspaltung von XCl und HCl das bicyclische Derivat 15 (Schema 5). Alle diese Reaktionen sind zusätzlich zu den angegebenen Fragmentierungen und Eliminierungen noch teilweise von Umlagerungen des Kohlenstoffgerüstes begleitet.Die thermische Umlagerung von 1,5-Dichlor-2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-cycloocta-1,3,5,7-tetraen (13) in das Styrolderivat 12 wurde in Abhängigkeit der Lösungs-mittelpolarität untersucht und mit der analogen thermischen Umlagerung von Brom-cyclooctatetraen und Chlor-cyclooctatetraen verglichen.

Notes: Leaf-gland Pigments: Coleons S and T from Plectranthus caninus ROTH (Labiatae), New Hydroquinones of the Abietane Series with a Diosphenol/trans-A/B-6,7-Diketone Structure.Coleons S and T were isolated from the more polar fractions from extracts of the above mentioned plant. Coleon S, C20H26O6, has been shown to have structure 1a, and coleon T, C20H26O6, structure 2.

Notes: On a Synthesis of the angular Di(cyclobuteno)benzolIn the course of our studies aimed at better understanding the Mills-Nixon effect, we have also prepared the angular di(cyclobuteno)benzene (1), the synthesis of which has been recently described by another group [3]. Our completely different and essentially simpler synthetic approach will be pointed out. A special pyrolysis apparatus is designed.

Notes: Photochemical reactions of norbornadiene with substituted acetylenes in the presence of Fe(CO)5 gave various products of different types, depending on the nature of the acetylene. The results are summarized in Table 1. The cyclopentanone 1 was always formed in these reactions. In the reaction of disubstituted acetylenes such as dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and ethyl phenylpropiolate, the cyclopentenones 2 and 5 were formed, respectively. By contrast, propiolic esters produced the cyclohexenones 3 and 4, in which the ester group was attached on the β carbon with respect to the keto group. Plausible mechanisms for the formation of these products are shown in Schemes 7 and 8. The reaction of diphenylacetylene gave the cyclohexendione 7 as well as the cyclopentenone 6. Two enedione products 8 and 9 were obtained from the reaction of phenylacetylene. Compound 9 was converted to the aromatic diacetate 13 by heating with acetic anhydride in pyridine. On irradiation in the presence of Fe(CO)5 norbornene reacted similarly with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and phenylacetylene to give the cyclopentenone 14 and the cyclohexenone 15, respectively. Compound 15, upon heating, isomerized to hydroquinone 16, which on acetylation gave the diacetate 17.

Notes: It is shown that the ab initio STO-3G treatment applied to simple saturated linear, branched and cyclic hydrocarbons, assuming standard geometries, yields orbital energies ∊jSTO-3G for their canonical orbital ϕj which correlate perfectly with the observed C2s ionization energies Ijm, if Koopmans' approximation is accepted.Applying the Foster-Boys localization procedure to these canonical orbitals ϕj leads to localized orbitals λμ and their corresponding Hartree-Fock matrix Fλ = (Fλ,μv). An examination of the matrix elements Fλ,μv, i.e. of the self-energies Aμ = Fλ,μμ of the localized CC- and CH-orbitals λμ and of the cross terms Fλ, μv (μ ≠ v) between them, leads to the conclusion that a satisfactory approximation should be obtained by setting Aμ = A for all μ, Fλ,μv = B if λμ and λv are vicinal and neglecting all other cross terms. The resulting model is nothing but the well-known equivalent bond orbital model of Lennard-Jones & Hall, which however can now be calibrated using the known C2s-ionization energies of hydrocarbons. Due to the discrete structure and the wider range (∽ 8 eV) of the C2s band systems in the photoelectron spectra of these molecules this leads to a more satisfactory parametrization than using the narrower and badly resolved C2p band system.Comparison of calculated band positions using the calibrated model with observed C2s-band ionization energies for a series of hydrocarbons reveals that the simple equivalent bond orbital model is better than one might have expected.

Notes: The Metabolism of the Retinoid Ro 10-9359. Isolation and Identification of the Major Metabolites in Human Plasma, Urine and Feces Synthesis of Three Urinary MetabolitesAfter oral administration of therapeutic doses of the 3H-labelled aromatic retinoic acid analog (retinoid) Ro 10-9359 (ethyl all-trans-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-nonatetraenoate) to humans 75 and 15% of the 3H-dose were excreted within the first five days in the feces and the urine, respectively. Using chromatographic procedures including high pressure liquid chromatography 18 metabolites could be isolated from human urine. Their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry and FT-1H-NMR. spectroscopy. In these urinary metabolites the tetraene side chain of the parent compound Ro 10-9359 is shortened. The radioactivity of the identified urinary metabolites accounted for about 11% of the dose. Three urinary metabolites were synthesized. The main part of the radioactivity excreted within the first five days in the feces consisted of unchanged drug (60% of the dose). A smaller (amount 15% of the dose) could not be identified. The unchanged drug and a major metabolite, the corresponding acid, were found in human plasma.In an experiment with bile-duct cannulated rats the radioactively labelled retinoid Ro 10-9359 was injected intravenously. About 70% of the 3H-dose was excreted in the bile, within the first 48 hours. The whole radioactivity of the rat bile consisted of polar metabolites. No unchanged drug could be found. After enzymatic hydrolysis of the bile conjugates three metabolites were isolated. The main metabolite (49% of the i.v. dose) was a conjugate of the corresponding acid of the parent drug, already found as free compound in human plasma. The other bile metabolites (9 and 7% of the i.v. dose) had an intact side chain, too.An enterohepatic recycling of the bile metabolites was observed in the rat.

Notes: Stability in aqueous solution of some complexes of heavy metals with diaza-polyoxamacrocyclic ligandsStability of metal complexes (Mn+ = Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Ag+ and Cd2+) with five diaza-polyoxamacrocycles (L = [2.1.1], [2.2.1], [2.2.2], [2.1] and [2.2] ) have been determined at 25°, in 0.1 M Et4N+ClO4- aqueous solutions, by means of potentiometric titrations. All cations form MLn+ complexes; Cu2+ also forms the MHL(n+1)+ protonated species with both [2.2.1] and [2.1.1] ligands. The stability of these complexes has been discussed in terms of structure and by considering the ionic radii of the cations together with the radii of the macrocyclic cavities. Different behaviour is observed between some of these complexes and the well known alkali and alkaline-earth cryptates, partly due to the more covalent nature of bonds formed by the investigated cations and the donor sites of the ligands. The effect of the substitution of two oxygen by two sulfur atoms in the pentadentate ligand [2.1] on the stability of the complexes is reported.

Notes: An arrangement for light induced vectorial charge separation is discussed in which the electron of the excited dye is transferred to an acceptor and the dye is recovered by electron tunneling through a high and narrow potential barrier. The possible relevance of the model in connection with photosynthesis is considered. Monolayers of Ru(II)-bipyridine complexes with long chain hydrocarbon substituents were investigated which may be useful as component in such arrangements.The surface pressure area isotherms of the monolayers were measured for various ionic compositions of the subphase, and the results demonstrate a strong effect of these ions on the structure of the layers. The layers were deposited on different substrates. The luminescence and its change by contacting the sample with water and by subsequent drying were found to be strongly dependent on the architecture of the layer assembly. Attempts of a photochemical cleavage of water with these assemblies failed.The pH-dependence of the absorption and the luminescence of a Ru(II) bipyridine-dicarboxylic acid complex in solution is interpreted by assuming that the electron in the excited state is localized in one pyridine part of the substituted ligand, the conjugation with the second half of the bipyridine carboxylic acid being negligible. Monolayer assemblies for measuring the energy transfer from the ruthenium complex to an adequate energy acceptor and from an adequate energy donor to the ruthenium complex were investigated. The results demonstrate that the deactivation of the excited ruthenium complex occurs mainly by passing the luminescent state.Assemblies were investigated for measuring the electron transfer from the excited ruthenium complex to an appropriate electron acceptor positioned in the carboxylate portion at the same interface as the electron donor. With bipyridinium ions as acceptor the ruthenium complex luminescence is quenched at average distances between acceptor molecules of about 10 Å, while this distance is 30, 60 und 75 Å for different cyanine dyes used instead of the ruthenium complex. A correlation between this distance and the ionization energy in the excited state of the donor is observed.

Notes: Synthesis of nickel complexes with a porphine-type ligand systemIn the presence of nickel(II) salts the bicyclic vinylogous amidine 1 is dimerized to the diamagnetic (1-amino-10,20-diaza-octahydroporphinato)nickel(II) complex 3. The condensation proceeds through a paramagnetic octahedral nickel(II) complex 2. Starting from 3, the (hexadecamethyl-10,20-diaza-hexahydroporphin)nickel bis (tetrafluoroborate) 7 (a (hexaaza [16]annulene)nickel(II) complex) was prepared in two steps. This highly electrophilic compound adds methoxide ions in consecutive and reversible steps to form first the (1-methoxy-10,20-diaza-octahydroporphinato)nickel tetrafluoroborate 8 and then the [cis-1, 11-dimethoxy-decahydroporphinato (2-)]nickel 6. 6, 7 and 8 were fully characterized and interconverted by addition and elimination reactions.

Notes: Singlet oxygen, generated chemically or photogenetically, reacts with biadamantylidene to give the corresponding dioxetane and epoxide only. When methylene blue (MB) or meso-tetraphenylporphin (m-TPP) is used as sensitizer the normal reaction course occurs giving dioxetane as the preponderant product in 2-propanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, pinacolone, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and benzene, although in the last two solvents some 10-25% of epoxide is formed. When erythrosin and rose bengal (RB) are used, epoxide becomes the main product (70-95%). Epoxide does not derive from chemical reaction with the solvent. Pinacolone, for example, is not oxidized to t-butyl acetate.The rose bengal reaction involves both singlet oxygen and radicals, since diazabicyclooctane (DABCO) and di-t-butyl-p-cresol interfere with the oxidation. A mechanistic scheme is proposed in which sensitizer and oxygen combine to produce sensitizer radical cation and superoxide radical anion. Subsequently, hydroperoxy radical, deriving from superoxide, reacts with substrate to give epoxide and hydroxy radicals. The latter adds to substrate to give a new radical which captures triplet oxygen. Epoxide is formed by loss of hydroperoxy radical and the chain starts anew. The dioxetane is formed separately either by [2+2]-cycloaddition or stepwise addition.

Notes: Photochemical and non-photochemical A/D-secocorrin→corrin-cyclizations of 19-carboxy- and 19-formyl-1-methylidene-1,19-secocorrinates. Decarboxylation (and deformylation) of nickel(II)-19-carboxy-(resp. 19-formyl)-corrinatesNickel (II) 1-methylidene-2,2,7,7,12,12-hexamethyl-15-cyano-19-carboxy-1,19-secocorrinate can be induced to cyclize with concomitant decarboxylation to the corresponding corrinate (Scheme 9). Experiments with deuterated derivatives (Scheme 10) indicate that in this decarboxylative A/D-secocorrin→corrin-cyclization the ring closure step precedes decarboxylation. In accord therewith is the finding that the corresponding intermediate nickel(II) 19-carboxy-corrinate (synthesized via photochemical cyclization of the corresponding cadmium complex, Schemes 6 and 9) decarboxylates under very mild conditions.Nickel(II) 1-methylidene-2,2,7,7,12,12-hexamethyl-15-cyano-19-formyl-1,19-secocorrinate cyclizes smoothly to the corresponding 19-formyl-corrinate in the presence of acetic acid/triethylamine. The formyl group of the cyclization product can be eliminated hydrolytically in essentially quantitative yield by treatment with 2N KOH in ethanolic solution (Scheme 11). The non-photochemical (A→D)-cyclization of 19-formyl-1,19-secocorrinoids represents formation of the corrin chromophore at the oxidation level of porphyrinogens and exemplifies how a C1-fragment that eventually leaves the ligand can fulfill a specific function in the (A→D)-ring closure to a corrin.

Notes: Leaf-gland Pigments: 3β-Acetoxyfuerstione, Nilgherron A and Nilgherron B, New Quinomethanes from Plectranthus nilgherricus BENTH. (Labiatae); Absolute Configuration of FuerstioneWe have isolated from leaf-glands of the above mentioned plant the following deeply coloured quino-methane derivatives: (1) traces of the already known fuerstione (1a); 11,15-dihydroxy-5,7,9 (11), 13-abietatetraen-12-one; (2) the new 3β-acetoxy-fuerstione (1b); (3) nilgherron A (5a, I or II), a new dimeric diterpenoid quinomethane, C40H52O7, formed in the plant obviously by cycloaddition of the o-quinone 8 (9aS, 11R)-11 -hydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl-9,9-dimethyl-3,4,7,8,9,9a,10,11- octahydro-5H-dibenzo [a, d]cycloheptene-3,4-dione) with fuerstione; (4) nilgherron B (5b, I or II), C42H54O9, likewise a new compound, formed by the same type of cycloaddition (heterodiene synthesis) of 8 with 3β-acetoxyfuerstione. On the basis of 1H-NMR. shift arguments structure I is slightly preferred to II for 5a and 5b. Model experiments have shown the easy formation of the dihydrodioxin ring by reaction of an o-benzoquinone with p-quinomethanes. The absolute configuration of fuerstione and 3β-acetoxyfuerstione has been determined by chiroptical methods.

Notes: The bidentate phosphine 2,11-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)benzo [c]phenanthrene (1) has been used to prepare the mononuclear, square planar complexes trans-[MX(CO)(1)] and trans-[M(CO)(CH3CN)(1)][BF4] (M = Rh, Ir; X = Cl, Br, I, NCS). It is found that the tendency of these complexes to form adducts with CO, O2 and SO2 is significantly lower than that of the corresponding Ph3P complexes. The oxidative-addition reactions of complexes trans-[IrX (CO) (1)] with hydrogen halides give the six-coordinate species [IrHX2(CO) (1)]. The complexes [IrH2I (CO) (1)] and [IrH2L (CO) (1)] [BF4] (L = CO and CH3CN) have been obtained from hydrogen and the corresponding substrates. The model compounds trans-[MCl (CO) (Ph2PCH2Ph)2] (M = Rh, Ir), trans-[Ir (CO) (CH3CN) (Ph2PCH2Ph)2] [BF4], [IrHCl2(CO)(Ph2PCH2Ph)2] and [IrH2(CO)2(Ph2PCH2Ph)2] [BF4] have been prepared and their special parameters are compared with those of the corresponding complexes of ligand 1. The influence of the static requirements of this ligand on the chemistry of its rhodium and iridium complexes is discussed.

Notes: The preparation of the ditertiary phosphines 2,11-bis (di-m-tolylphosphinomethyl)benzo [c]phenanthrene (1b), 2,11-bis (di-p-anisylphosphinomethyl)benzo-[c]phenanthrene (1c), 2,11-bis (di-m-trifluoromethylphenylphosphinomethyl) benzo-[c]phenanthrene (1d), 2,11-bis (dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)benzo [c]phenanthrene (1e) and 2,11-bis [di-(t-butyl)phosphinomethyl]benzo [c]phenanthrene (1f), by a combination of synthetic routes is described.

Notes: The substituted 2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones of type II and III have been prepared by acid-catalyzed cyclization of the corresponding substituted acetylenic ketones I in good to excellent yields (Scheme 1). These 2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones II and III have been used for the in situ preparation of highly reactive dienes of type IV-VI (Scheme 2) in carbonyl-alkyne exchange reactions with electron-poor alkynes VII to yield the highly substituted aromatic compounds VIII and IX. These reactions proceed in good yields and with excellent degree of regioselectivity. Aryl-substituted 2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones III (R1 = Ar) subsequently yield highly substituted biaryls. Reaction mechanisms are presented for the formation of the 2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones as well as for the carbonyl-alkyne exchange reactions with electron-poor acetylenes.

Notes: The crystal and molecular structure of bis[dinitrato-(2,4,8,15,18,21-hexaoxatricyclo[20.4.0.09,14]hexacosane)europium(III)]pentakis(nitrato)europiate(III) [Eu(NO3)2LB]2([Eu(NO3)5]), has been determined at 170 K from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n (ITC No. 14): a = 16.338(3) Å, b = 15.704(3) Å, c = 24.474(4) Å, β = 97.73(1)°, Z = 4. The structure was refined to a final R value of 0.058 (Rw = 0.060). The asymmetric unit contains three independent ions lying on general positions: [Eu(NO3)5]2- and two distinct [Eu(NO3)2LB]+ cations with the macrocyclic ligand in the cis-anti-cis conformation (B-isomer). The EuIIIions are 10-coordinate with the following mean bond lengths: Eu-O(nitrate) = 2.48(2) Å in the anion and 2.45(2) Å in the two cations, Eu-O(ether) = 2.56(8) and 2.55(5) Å. Small but significant differences are observed between the two complex cations, especially with respect to the positions of the cyclohexyl substituent. A conformational analysis performed on the six O-atoms of the complex cations confirms the predictions of a simple model. The metal ion sites of the complex have been probed by high-resolution excitation and emission spectra at 296 and 77 K. The 5D0←7F0 excitation spectrum displays two main bands along with several other minor components. A detailed analysis of the corresponding and selectively excited emission spectra leads to the observation of three types of spectra corresponding to the three crystallographically different EuIII ions. Moreover, three minor sites are identified, one anionic and two cationic, with a population equal to ca. 10% of the population of the main sites. We interpret this finding as reflecting the presence of molecules with slightly different conformations.

Notes: The C2-symmetrical chiral pyrrolidines 2 and 3 are of opposite helicity. The corresponding N-acylnitroso dienophiles 6 and 7 react in good yield with cyclohexadiene, leading thereby with excellent diastereoisomeric excess to the expected Diels-Alder cycloadducts (see Scheme). The [2.2.2] bicyclic moieties of the major diastereoisomers 9 and 11 proved to be of opposite configuration, as expected. Their configuration is best explained by assuming the acylnitroso dienophile to be in the s-cis conformation in the transition state, the approach of the diene being endo (see Fig.).

Notes: An enzyme is extracted from the red peel of Amanita muscaria which cleaves the C(2)-C(3) and the C(4)-C(5) bond of the aromatic ring of L-dopa (1) to form a mixture of 4,5-secodopa (= salt of 6-amino-2-hydroxy-4-(2′-oxoethylidene)hept-2-enedioic acid; 2) and 2,3-secodopa ( = salt of 7-amino-5-formyl-2-hydroxyocta-2,4-dienedioic acid; 3), two hitherto hypothetical biosynthetic intermediates (see Scheme). Though isolation of these products has not been possible, structural evidence is inferred from reaction products, kinetics, and spectroscopical characteristics in comparison with known compounds. Secodopas 2 and 3 are characterized in dilute solution by HPLC and UV/VIS spectroscopy (anions; λmax 424 and 414 nm, resp., ∊420 = 25500; on acidification, shift to 380 and 372 nm, resp.). They cyclize without enzyme catalysis, optimally at pH 4.5-5; 3 produces muscaflavin (5) and 2 betalamic acid (4). The products arc identified by direct comparison with authentic samples in HPLC, by 1H-NMR of 5, and by condensation of 4 with L-proline to form the well known betalain indicaxanthin (7). The enzymatic conversion of L-dopa (1) via 2 to betalamic acid (4; (S)) and its condensation with L-proline leads to pure natural indicaxanthin (7; (2S,115)); correspondingly, the enzymatic conversion of D-dopa to (R)-betalamic acid and its condensation with L-proline produces isoindicaxanthin ((2S,11R)) which is unknown in nature. Particularly relevant is the fact that the same enzyme cleaves pyrocatechol to produce a solution of the enolate form of the known 2-hydroxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (secopyrocatechol; 9; see Fig. 5). Dissociation constants of the corresponding enolic functions in the cleavage products are determined by spectrometric titration and compared to those of known systems.

Notes: Photochemical behaviors of the pyrazinone derivatives 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones 1a-c and 1,5,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-2H-cyclohepta[b]pyrazin-2-one 1d were investigated. Dye-sensitized photo-oxygenation of 1a-c gave the 1:1 adducts 5a-c of the corresponding 3,8a-epidioxy-3,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-one 4 and H2O, whereas 1d gave 3,9a-epidioxy-1,3,5,6,7,8,9,9a-octahydro-2H-cyclohepta[b]pyrazin-2-one 4d (Scheme 2). The different kind of products was interpreted as being the result of the ring strain and steric hindrance of endoperoxides produced from 1a-d with singlet oxygen. Irradiation of 1a-b in the presence of alkenes gave tricyclic azetidine derivatives 9 by [2 + 2] cycloaddition of the C=N bond of 1 to the alkene.

Notes: The piperidines 12-18, piperidmose analogues of Neu5Ac (1) with a shortened side chain, were synthesized from N-acetyl-D-glucosamine via the azidoalkene 32 and tested as inhibitors of Vibrio cholerae sialidase. Deoxygenation at C(4) of the uronate 22, obtained from the known D-GlcNAc derivative 20, was effected by β-elimination (→ 23), exchange of the AcO at C(3) with a (t-Bu)Me2SiO group and hydrogenation (→ 26; Scheme 1). Chain extension of 26 by reaction with Me3SiCH2MgCl gave the D-ido-dihydroxysilane 28, which was transformed into the unsaturated L-xylo-mesylate 29 and further into the L-lyxo-alcohol 30, the mesylate 31, and the L-xylo-azide 32. The derivatives 29-31 prefer a sickle zig-zag and 32 mainly an extended zig-zag conformation (Fig. 2). The piperidinecarboxylate 15 was obtained from 32 by ozonolysis (→ 33), intramolecular reductive animation (→ 34), and deprotection, while reductive animation of 34 with glycolaldehyde (→ 35) and deprotection gave 16 (Scheme 2). An intramolecular azide-olefin cycloaddition of 32 yielded exclusively the fused dihydrotriazole 36, while the lactone 39 did not cyclize (Scheme 3). Treatment of 36 with AcOH (→ 37) followed by hydrolysis (→ 38) and deprotection led to the amino acid 18. To prepare the (hydroxymethyl)piperidinecarboxylates 12 and 17, 32 was first dihydroxylated (Scheme 4). The L-gluco-diol 40 was obtained as the major product, in agreement with Kishi's rule. Silylation of 40 (→ 42), oxidation with periodinane (→ 44), and reductive animation gave the L-gluco-piperidine 45. It was, on the one hand, deprotected to the amino acid 12 and, on the other hand, N-phenylated (→ 46) and deprotected to 17. While 45 and 12 adopt a 2C5 conformation, the analogous N-Ph derivatives 46 and 17 adopt a 5C2 and a B3,6 conformation, respectively, on account of the allylic 1,3-strain. The conformational effects of this 1,3-strain are also evident in the carbamate 47, obtained from 45 (Scheme 5), and in the C(2)-epimerized bicyclic ether 48, which was formed upon treatment of 47 with (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (DAST). Fluorination of 40 with DAST (→ 49) followed by treatment with AcOH led to the D-ido-fluorohydrin 50. Oxidation of 50 (→ 51) followed by a Staudinger reaction and reduction with NaBH3CN afforded the (fluoromethyl)piperidine 52, while reductive amination of 51 with H2/Pd led to the methylpiperidine 55, which was similarly obtained from the keto tosylate 54 and from the dihydrotriazole 36. Deprotection of 52 and 55 gave the amino acids 13 and 14, respectively. The aniline 17 does not inhibit V. cholerae sialidase; the piperidines 12-16 and 18 are weak inhibitors, evidencing the importance of an intact 1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl side chain.

Notes: Synthesis of Monomorin I, a Trail Pheromone of the Pharao Ant (Monomorium pharaonis)Katalytic hydrogenation of the 4-nitroalkanone 5 yielded the cis-pyrrolidine ester 6 (Scheme). The preparation of 5 was accomplished by ethanolysis of the nitrocyclohexanone derivative 4. Iodination at C(α) of 6, followed by cyclization, gave a nearly 5:6 mixture of the two C(5)-epimers 10/9 of octahydroindolizine. Epimerisation of the undesired 10 to 9 and subsequent transformation of the latter gave racemic monomorine I (1; 34% yield from 5).

Notes: Crystal Structure of a Thiazolorifamycine: Rifamycine PThe crystal structure of a natural thiazolorifamycin, rifamycin P, as an adduct with EtOH and H2O, has been determined by X-ray crystallography by a combination of direct methods and Patterson techniques. Block-diagonal least-squares refinement using 5996 independent reflections and 1475 parameters led to an R factor of 0.092 (two independent molecules of rifamycin P). The middle part of the ansa chain, essential for activity against the bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (DDRP) resembles that of active rifamycins. The four OH groups lie on the same side of the molecule and are almost in the same plane. Interatomic distances between the O-atoms agree well with a spatial model derived from X-ray studies, performed on semisynthetic active rifamycins.

Notes: Oximes are used in the therapy of organophosphate poisoning. They form an interaction product with the organophosphate which is claimed to be more toxic than the organophosphate itself. We have synthesized one of these compounds which would be formed by the reaction of pyridine-4-carbaldehyde oxime methiodide with sarin (GB). Thus, reaction of oxime 1 with sarin chloridate (2), yielded 4-{{[(isopropyloxy)methylphosphoryloxy]-imino}methyl}-1-methylpyridinium iodide (4) which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Notes: Substitued N-(isoxazol-4-yl)thioureas 1 undergo a transformation in the presence of hexacarbonylmolybdenum and acid to yield functionalized thiazoles 3 in a one-pot reaction. In a few cases, 1,4,5-trisubstituted dihydroimidazolethiones 4 are also isolated as side products. Mechanistic considerations are outlined and scope and limitations of this new methodology discussed.

Notes: Aphelandrine (1) is shown to be biosynthesized in the root cells of Aphelandra tetragona (VAHL) NEES from labelled putrescine (4), spermidine (5), and cinnamic acid (3). Whether spermine (6) and the (p-hydroxycinnamoyl)spermidine 8 are precursors of 1 is uncertain, since the latter is hydrolysed to a large extent before incorporation, and the former is metabolized to 4 and 5. Methionine (7) is the source of the 3-aminopropyl unit of 5 and 6.

Notes: Thermolysis of the glycosylidene-derived O-benzylated diazirine 1 in the presence of N-phenylmaleimide (2), acrylonitrile (3), dimethyl fumarate (4), or dimethyl maleate (5) led in good yields to mixtures of the spirocyclopropanes 6/7, 8-11, 12/13, and 12/13/16/17. The diastereoselectivity depends upon the alkene. The cycloaddition of 1 to 5 is not diastereospecific, in keeping with previous results. Deprotection of 12, 13, 16, and 17 yielded the tetrols 14,15, 18, and 19, respectively.

Notes: The course of solid-phase peptide-coupling reactions as well as the swelling properties of a peptide-resin are influenced by the addition of inorganic salts (LiCl, LiBr, LiClO4, KSCN). Used as additives, these salts can (i) improve coupling yields (e.g., for Fmoc-(Ala)5-Phe-resin → Fmoc-(AIa)6-Phe-resin in DMF/CH2Cl2 1:1 from 89.4 to 97.1% (for polyethylene oxide) on polystyrene (= PEO-PS) resin) or from 77.5 to 93.8% (for poly-(N,N′-dimethylacrylamide) on ‘Kieselgur’ (=PDMAA-KG) resin) without and with 0.4M LiCl, respectively), (ii) increase resin swelling (e.g. for Fmoc-(Ala)5-Phe-(polystyrene resin) from 2.42- to 5.73-fold in 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (=NMP) without and with LiCl, (respectively), and (iii) change coupling rates. Example;; of coupling reactions and swelling behaviour (degree and rate) in different solvents (DMF, DMF/CH2Cl2 1:1, THF, NMP, N,N-dimethylpropyleneurea (= DMPU) with and without salts) using different resins (polystyrene (PS); PEO-PS, and PDMAA-KG) and an improved analysis of alanine oligomers up to Ala12-Phe by HPLC and FAB-MS are reported.

Notes: The rearrangement of methyl 2-(methylthio)benzenesulfonate (1) to the zwitterionic 2-(dimethyl-sulfonium)benzenesulfonate (2) is known to proceed in solution by intermolecular Me transfers. The same rearrangement has been observed to occur in crystalline 1, but the crystal structure shows that the molecular packing is not conducive to intermolecular Me transfer. The reaction has been carried out with mixed crystals composed of 1 and deuteriomethylated (D6)-l. By fast-atom-bombardment mass spectroscopy, it has been shown that the product consists of a 1:2:1 mixture of the non-, tri-, and hexadeuterated species, the mixture expected, if the solid-state reaction proceeds by intermolecular Me transfers. From this result, together with the slower rates of conversion in the single crystal compared with the melt, it can be concluded that the reaction must occur not topochemically but rather at defects such as microcavities, surfaces, and other irregularities in the ordered crystal arrangement.

Notes: The synthesis of the complexes 3 of various metals ligated to chiral 4,5-dihydro-2-(2′-oxidophenyl-ϰO)oxazoles-ϰN is described (Scheme). Three of them, i.e. 3a, 3e, and 3f containing CuII, ZnII and NiII, respectively, were analyzed by X-ray diffraction studies. A series of CuII complexes (6a-d) with differently substituted dihydrooxazoles have been synthesized.

Notes: 1-(2′-Deoxy-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)thymine (= 1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)thymine; xTd; 2) was converted into its phosphonate 3b as well as its 2-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite 3c. Both compounds were used for solid-phase synthesis of d[(xT)12-T] (5), representing the first DNA fragment build up from 3′-5′-linked 2′-deoxy--β-D-xylonucleosides. Moreover, xTd was introduced into the innermost part of the self-complementary dodecamer d(G-T-A-G-A-A-xT-xT-C-T-A-C)2 (9). The CD spectrum of d[(xT)12-T] (5) exhibits reversed Cotton effects compared to d(T12) (6; see Fig. 1), implying a left-handed single strand. With d(A12) (7) it could be hybridized to form a propably Left-handed double strand d(A12) · d[(xT)12-T] (7·5) which was confirmed by melting experiments in combination with temperature-dependent CD spectroscopy. While 5 was hydrolyzed by snake-venom phosphodiesterase, it was resistant towards calf-spleen phosphodiesterase. The modified, self-complementary duplex 9 was hydrolyzed completely by snake-venom phosphodiesterase, at a twelvefold slower rate compared to unmodified 8; calf-spleen phosphodiesterase hydrolyzed 9 only partially.

Notes: Temperature-dependent 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra reveal that polyhalogenated marine β-chamigrenes or synthetic derivatives thereof which are trans-diequatorially, substituted at C(8) and C(9), such as rogiolol ((-)-2), obtusol ((+)-3), and their acetates (+)-1 and (-)-4, undergo slow ring-A chair-chair inversion. Conformational equilibria and kinetics are investigated with the aid of synthetic model compounds and molecular-mechanics calculations. Thus, steric repulsions between Brax-C(2) and Heq-C(7) are seen to disfavour thermodynamically conformers 1b, 2b, 3b, and 4b, which can only be detected through cross-saturation transfer, while additional steric repulsions between Meax-C(1) and OHax-C(3) make conformer 8b of obtusol epimer so scarcely populated that it can not be detected. In agreement, with (+)-9 and (+)-10, which have a trigonal C(2), two conformers can be directly observed by NMR. The kinetic barriers, which are seen to arise mainly from steric repulsions between Hax-C(14) and the axial H or halogen atoms at C(8) and C(10), are calculated and discussed with respect to well documented exocycliemethylidene-substituted cyclohexane(ene) systems. This helps to rationalize why in rogiolol acetate ((+)-1) ring B is unusually inert towards Zn/Et2O/AcOH which causes bromohydrine-group elimination from ring A.

Notes: Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3.6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,5′-diol), a Novel Carotenoid from Red Paprika (Capsicum annuum)From red paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longum nigrum) cycloviolaxanthin was isolated as a minor carotenoid and, based on spectral data, assigned the symmetrical structure 8.

Notes: The synthesis of quinic acid (4) via epoxide 13, starting from shikimic acid (5), is described (Scheme 1). Treatment of 13 with thiophenol yielded not only 17, but also the γ-lactones 18 and 19 as result of migration of silyl groups within a cis- and trans-diol system. The conversion provides a direct stereoselective epoxidation of a shikimic-acid derivative as well as an alternative pathway for the preparation of 4. A shorter approach via the disilylated epoxide 22 was unsuccessful because the γ-lactone 25 was obtained in place of the desired α-hydroxy ester 24 (Scheme 2).

Notes: The four protected diastereoisomcrs 7a/7b and 8a/8b P-thioadenylyl-(3′-5′)-P-thioadenylyI-(3′-5′)-adenosine were synthesized, separated, and deblocked to the free oligonucleotides (Scheme). Biochemical characterization of these (3′-5′)phosphorothioate analogues of adenyiate trimer indicate that these compounds, and the corresponding 5′-monophosphates, neither bind to nor activate RNase L, and are considered to be valuable control compounds in screening experiments.

Notes: The crystal structures of four inclusion compounds of 2,6-dimethylideneadamantane-1,3,5,7-tetracarboxylic acid (4) are described, which involve the following guest species: (a) a mixture of 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one, 2,6-dimethylhepta-2,5-dien-4-one, and mesitylene (condensation products of acetone); (b) mesitylene; (c) a mixture of 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one and mesitylene; (d) (tert-butyl)benzene. In all four cases, the host architectures consist of two interpenetrating super-diamond networks built up by the tetra-acid molecules via pairwise H-bonds between the tetrahedrally directed COOH groups. In the first three cases (tetragonal crystal symmetry), the two diamond-like host lattices interpenetrate symmetrically, in the fourth case (monoclinic) asymmetrically. This asymmetry is brought about by the increased steric bulk of the (tert-butyl)benzene guest molecules. Attempts to enforce an inclusion compound of 4 with a single, extremely hollow diamond-like host lattice by offering still bulkier guest molecules have as yet not been met with success. The generally very high propensity of 4 to form inclusion compounds was envisaged and designed beforehand by appropriate evaluation and modulation of the crystal structure of the parent adamantane-1,3,5,7-tetracarboxylic acid, which represents a fivefold diamond-like self-inclusion compound. Crystals of the free, uncomplexed 4 appear to be extremely unstable and could so far not be obtained. On the other hand, from aqueous solution a very stable monohydrate of 4 may be crystallized (4-H2O), which was also subjected to X-ray analysis. The (triclinic) crystal structure of 4·H2O involves an interesting dichotomy inasmuch its pattern of H-bonding may be rationalized either in terms of a double, cross-linked super-zincblende (sphalerite) architecture, or as a system of porous, puckered 4-connected sheets, which interpenetrate each other pairwise and are cross-linked by the H2O molecules. Various structure and (space group) symmetry characteristics of the supramolecular solid-state complexes reported here are highlighted by pointing out analogies with comparable structures retrieved from the literature.

Notes: As the root bark CH2Cl2 extract of Bauhinia rufescens showed antifungal activity in a bioassay with the plant pathogenic fungus Cladosporium cucumerinum, a phytochemical investigation was undertaken on material collected in Niger. Activity-guided fractionation of this extract, using different preparative chromatographic methods, allowed the isolation of the four new antifungal tetracyclic compounds 1-4. Their structures were established by 1H- and 13C-NMR data, and single-crystal X-ray analyses were used to confirm the structures of 1 and 3. The isolated compounds seem to be biogenetically related to a stilbene.

Notes: A new route to completely protected α-methylated α-amino acids starting from alanine is described (see Scheme). These derivatives, which are obtained via base-catalyzed opening of the oxazolidinones (2S,4R)- and (2R,4S)-2, can be directly employed in peptide synthesis. The synthesis of both enantiomers of Z-protected α-methylaspartic acid β-(tert-butyl)ester (O4-(tert-butyl) hydrogen 2-methylaspartates (R) or (S)-4a), α-methyl-glutamic acid γ-(tert-butyl) ester (O5-(tert-butyl) hydrogen 2-methylglutamate (R)- or (S)-4b), and of Nε-bis-Boc-protected α-methyllysine (N6,N6-bis[(tert-butyloxy)carbonyl]-2-methyllysine (R)- or (S)-4c) is described in full detail.

Notes: Via the phosphotriester approach, new structural analogs of (2′-5′)oligoadenyiates, namely 3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′-5′)-3′-dcoxyadenylyl-(2′-ω)-9-(ω-hydroxyalkyl)adenines 18-21, have been synthesized (see Scheme) which should preserve biological activity and show higher stability towards phosphodiesterases. The newly synthesized oligonucleotides 18-21 have been characterized by 1H-NMR spectra, TLC, and HPLC analysis.

Notes: A series of [Leu5]enkephalin-related glycoconjugates with an ester-, ether-, or amide-type linkage were synthesized and evaluated for antiviral activity against HIV-1 in a cell-culture system using peripheral blood lymphocytes. All tested glycoconjugates exhibited a certain antiviral activity which was significantly higher than the activity of the parent peptide compound itself. These results indicate that synthetic glycoconjugates of opioid peptides are good candidates for the development of anti-HIV agents.

Notes: Developmental efforts to improve the yield of the chemical synthesis of (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin resulted in the isolation, partly by chromatography from reaction mixtures, and full spectroscopic characterization by 1H-NMR, UV/VIS, and CD spectrosocpy of eleven (Z/E)-isomers of zeaxanthin: (7Z)-, (9Z), (13Z)-, (15Z)-, (7Z,7′Z)-, (9Z,9′Z)- (7Z,9Z,7Z)-, (7Z,11Z,7′Z)-, (9Z,13Z,9′Z)-, (7Z,9Z,7′Z,9′Z)-, and (7Z,9Z,11Z,7′Z,9′Z)-zeaxanthin. Five of these isomers were obtained by specific synthesis, namely the (7Z)-, (7Z,7′Z)-, (9Z,9′Z)-, (7Z,9Z,7′Z)-, and (7Z,9Z,7′Z-9Z)-isomers.

Notes: Ring Enlargement of 1,2-Thiazol-3(2H)-one-1,1-dioxides and 3-Amino-2H-azirines to 4H-1,2,5-Thiadiazocin-6-one-1,1-dioxidesReaction of 3-amino-2H-azirines 2 with the 1,1-dioxides 4 and 7 of 1,2-thiazol-3(2H)-ones and 1,2-thiazoli-din-3-ones, respectively, in i-PrOH at room temperature leads to 4H-1,2,5-thiadiazocin-6(5H)-one-1,1-dioxides 5 (Scheme 2, Table) and the corresponding 7,8-dihydro derivatives 8 (Scheme 4), respectively. The structure of some of the new 8-membered heterocycles as well as the structure of the minor by-product 6 (Scheme 3) have been established by X-ray crystallography (Chapt. 4). The proposed reaction mechanism for the ring expansion to 5 and 8 (Scheme 2) is in accordance with previously published results of reactions of 2 and NH-acidic heterocycles and is further supported by the results of the reaction of 4a and the (1-15N)-labelled aminoazirine 2a*.

Notes: Oxidation of 1,2-Thiazoles; A Convenient Approach to 1,2-Thiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-DioxidesThe 1,2-thiazoles obtained from 3-chloroalk-2-enals and ammonium thiocyanate (7 → 9, Scheme 1) are easily transformed to 1,2-thiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxidcs 10 on treatment with H2O2 in AcOH at 80°. Hydrogenation of 10 in AcOH yields the corresponding saturated 1,2-thiazolidin-3-one 1,1-dioxides 16 (Scheme 3). Cycloalka[c]-1,2-thiazoles 18 are prepared from 2-[(thiocyanato)methyliden]cycloalkan-1-ones and ammonia (Scheme 4). Surprisingly, oxidation of 18a with H2O2 in AcOH yields the tricyclic oxaziridine 19.

Notes: On the Synthesis of Derivatives of Pyrido[1,2-a]lazepineThe conjugated pyridinium ylides of type 4 undergo 8π -electrocyclisation affording the heterobicyclic allenes 5 which, in the presence of H2O and H2O2, are subsequently transformed into the substituted pyrido[1,2-a]-azepinones 6, a novel heterocyclic system. The chemical behaviour of 6a,b is dominated by cleavage of the lactam bond and subsequent reaction to pyridinc and isoquinoline derivatives, respectively; e.g. reaction of 6a, b with 4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione affords the cycloadducts 11 and 12 almost quantitatively. The successful transformation of 6b into 15 is described, the latter being the first representative of the presently unknown, potentially antiaromatic pyrido[1,2-a]azepine (1).

Notes: Regio- and stereospecific labeling experiments are conducted to unravel the mechanistic features of the Fe+-induced dehydrogenation of octane-1,8-diol in the gas phase. With regard to the regioselectivity, ca. 20% of molecular hydrogen originates from the C(3)/C(4) or the equivalent C(5)/C(6) positions. The remaining 80% are, provided by the C(4)/C(5) methylene units. The steps, preceding the reductive elimination of hydrogen, are irreversible, and the overall reaction follows a 1,2-elimination mode. The loss of HD from C(3)/C(4) is associated with a kinetic isotope effect KH2/KHD = 1.68. Formation of D2 from the positions C(4)/C(5) has an isotope effect of KH2/KD2 = 4.7; this figure is slightly dependent on the configuration at C(4)/C(5). Most interesting is the finding that the configuration at C(4)/C(5) in [4,5-D2]octane-1,8-diol, i.e. 5c vs. 5d, plays a pivotal role in the dehydrogenation of the central C(4)/C(5) part. This unexpected and unprecedented result is explained in terms of conformational analysis. A staggered-like conformation serves as a precursor to generate a trans-fused bicyclic intermediate 6. It is this very intermediate from which most of the molecular hydrogen is eliminated. Of minor importance is the as-fused chelate 7, which is formed from an eclipsed-like conformation of the octane-1,8-diol/Fe+ complex. The contribution of 6 and 7 to the product formation is controlled by the relative configuration at the labeled positions C(4)/C(5). For the D,L-form 5c, we estimate a ratio of ca. 9:1 for the contribution of 6 vs. 7; due to an isotope effect, this ratio drops to 1:85:1 for the meso-form 5d. This finding constitutes the first example for the existence of isotopically sensitive branching (‘metabolic switching’) in gas-phase organometallic chemistry.

Notes: The crystal structures of the LaIII, EuIII, and TbIII complexes of macrobicyclic [bpy.bpy.bpy] ligands, [La3+ ⊂ 1]3 Cl- ( = 3-La), [Tb3+ ⊂ 1]3 Cl- ( = 3-Tb), and [Eu3+ ⊂ 2]3 C1- ( = 3-Eu), have been determined. They confirm the cryptate nature of these species, the cations being bound to the eight N-sites of the ligand. The macrobicycle presents two open faces, thus allowing additional coordination of two species, Cl- ions or H2O molecules, to the bound cations. These data provide structural support for the photophysical studies of the luminescent properties of the EuIII and TbIII cryptates, which indicated residual coordination of H2O molecules.

Notes: Oxidation of 4-alkylpyrocatechols 2 by means of an insect diphenoloxidase (laccase) or K3 [Fe(CN)6] yields, in the presence of resorcinols 1 (R2 = H), complex mixtures of products from which biphenyltetrols 3 (R3 = H) and dibenzofuranones 5 and 6 were isolated. It is suggested that similar homo-coupling products are formed from pyrocatechols 2b and 2c in insects during cuticle sclerotization.

Notes: High-pressure 17O- and 13C-NMR show that [Ru(H2O)6]2+ reacts quantitatively with carbon monoxide (50 bar) in water to form [Ru(CO)(H2O)5]2+.

Notes: Synthesis of ‘Push-Pull’-OligoAcetylenes‘Push-pull’ triacetylenes 11a, b, c, as well as ‘push-pull’ tetraacetylene 13b have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding trichloroene(oligoinyl)amines 9 and 10 with 2 mol-equiv. of BuLi followed by acylation. The sequences (Schemes 3 and 4) are very simple and straightforward, they could in principle be applied to the synthesis of ‘push-pull’ pentaAcetylenes 15 and hexaacetylenes 17 (Scheme 5). Main limitations are the moderate yields as well as the low thermal stability of push-pull oligoacetylenes.

Notes: Sphydrofuran (1) was isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces sp. (strain Gö 28 and Tü 3616) by chemical screening methods. Metabolite 1 is an anomeric and ring-chain tautomeric mixture and could easily be transformed into the stable furan derivative 2 under acidic conditions. The constitution and relative configuration of 1 was established by X-ray crystallography of its 8-O-methyl derivative 3a. The absolute configuration at C(4) of 1 and thus of the whole molecule (3R,4S,5S) could be determined starting from 2 using the Helmchen method.

Notes: On treatment with H2SO4/MeOH, epimerization of hexamethyl cis-5,6-dihydroxycobyrinate c,8-lactam (3) takes place quantitatively at C(6), yielding the corresponding trans-diol 4. The corresponding lactone 7, whose structure has been established by X-ray analysis, is obtained from xanthocorrinoids 5 and 6 under similar conditions.

Notes: A number of biologically relevant O4-phospho-L-tyrosine-containing peptides have been synthesized by either the global phosphorylation of the side-chain-unprotected L-tyrosine moiety in presynthesized resin-bound peptides or alternatively by the incorporation of suitably protected O4-phospho-L-tyrosine building blocks in the continuous-flow method of Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis. Different phosphate-protecting groups have been applied.

Notes: Stereoselective Synthesis von Pyrrolizidin Alkaloids from NitroalkanonesReduction of 5-nitropentadecane-2,8-dione (11), synthesized by a Michael reaction from nitromethane, methyl vinyl ketone, and dec-1-en-3-one, gave, depending on the conditions, two epimeric 3-heptyl-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-5-methyl-1H-pyrrolizines as the main products: Catalytic hydrogenation (Pd/C) afforded the expected 7aα-hydro epimer 1b with cis-orieted H-atoms at C(3), C(5), and C(7a). NaBH3CN/NH4OAc reduction of the nitrodione 11 yielded all four diastereoisomers with the 7aβ-hydro epimer 1a as the predominant component; 1a is a pheromone of the cryptic thief ant Solenopsis sp. The N-atom of the pyrrolizidine ring stems from NH4OAc exclusively as shown by reduction of 11 with NaBH3CN/(15N)H4OAc.

Notes: The synthesis of the first glycosylidene-derived 2-acetamido-2-deoxydiazirine 4 from N-acetylglucosamine 6 is described. Thus, 6 was transformed into the 3-O-mesylglucopyranoside 9 by glycosidation with allyl alcohol, benzylidenation, and mesylation (Scheme 2). Solvolysis of 9 gave the allopyranoside 10 which, upon benzylation and glycoside cleavage, yielded the hemiacetals 12. Using our established method (via the lactone oxime 14 and the diaziridines 16), 12 gave the diazirine 4. Thermolysis of this diazirine in the presence of i-PrOH gave the dihydro-1,3-oxazole 5 (Scheme 1); in the presence of acrylonitrile, the four diastereoisomeric spirocyclopropanes 17-20 and the acetamidoallal 21 were obtained and separated by prep. HPLC (Scheme 3). Assignment of the configuration of 17-20 is based on NOE measurements and on the effect of diamagnetic anisotropy of the CN group. The ratio of the four cyclopropanes, which is in keeping with earlier results, is rationalized.

Notes: O-Methylation of the optically active 3′-hydroxycoclaurines 3a and 3b and of the N-methylated analogs 5a,b with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-14C]methionine in presence of mammalian COMT was investigated in vitro. The N-unsubstituted (1S)- and (1R )-isomers 3a and 3b, respectively, afforded almost equal amounts of the corresponding N-norreticuline 4 and N-nororientaline 19, besides two unknown by-products (see Fig. and Table 1). The N-methylated (1S)-isoquinoline 5a, on the other hand, afforded largely (S)-orientaline ((S)-19), while an almost equal mixture of (R)-reticuline (6b) and (R)-orientaline ((R)-19) was obtained from the (1R)-enantiomer 5b. The isoquinolines 3a,b and 5a,b were prepared by a Bischler-Napieralski cyclization yielding O-benzyl-protected isoquinoline 10 (Scheme 1). The optical resolution of 10 was accomplished with 2′-bromotartranilic acid. The N-methylated isoquinolines were prepared by N-formylation of 10a,b and reduction of the formamides 13a,b with diborane (→ 14a,b). Deblocking of the benzyl-ether moieties of 10a,b and 14a,b was accomplished by catalytic hydrogenation in presence of HCl, affording directly 3a,b·HCl and 5a,b·HCl, respectively.

Notes: Acetone extraction of cultures of the marine ascomycete Leptosphaeria oraemaris (LINDER) on cornmeal disk gave the novel polyketide derivative leptosphaerolide ( = (+)-7-[(1E)-l,3-dimethylpent-1-enyl]-10-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzo[1,2-b:5,4-c′]dipyran-2(9H)-one; (4+)-8) besides the o-dihydroquinone 3-[(1E)-1,3-dimethylpent-1-euyl]-8,10-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-8-(2-oxopropyl)-1H-naphtho[2,3-c]pyran-9(8H)-one (1) as a 10:9 mixture of epimers. retro-Aldol reaction of 1 gave leptosphaerodione ( = (-)-3-[(1E)-1,3-dimethylpent-1-enyl]-10-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1H-naphtho[2,3-c]pyran-8,9(8H)-dione; (-)-6) which was also present in small amounts in the extracts and which gave 1 on reaction with acetone. It is thus likely that 1 is an artefact of the extraction by acetone. Biogenetically (+)-8 might derive from (-)-6 via an unusual oxidation with loss of CO2.

Notes: Radical addition to 2-cyclohexyl-5-methylidene-6-methyl-1,3-dioxan-4-one (2) affords stereoselectively 5,6-trans-products trans-3. The size of the radical has no influence on the selectivity. These trans-acetals are converted into threo-3-hydroxy-butanoates 4. Methyl 2-methylidene-3-[(tert-butyl)diphenylsilyloxy]butanoate (5), treated under the same conditions, leads mainly to the erythro-isomer of 4 after deprotection. An influence of the steric bulkyness of the radical is observed. The stereochemical course of the reactions is discussed.

Notes: Using a complete set of 2H-labeled isotopomers, the gas-phase reactions of Ti+ to Zn+ with butyl isothio-cyanate are studied. The main product for most of the metal ions is MHNCS+ formed by an ion/dipole mechanism. Exceptions are Cr+, which yields significant amounts of H2 and H2S loss, Mn+, which is the only ion that does not form MHNCS+ at all but produces mainly C2H4 and C3H6, and Zn+, which predominantly reacts by charge transfer.

Notes: 1,3-Oxathiolanc Synthesis: Spirocyclic 1,3-Oxathiolanes from the Lewis-Acid-Catalyzed Reaction of Cyclic Trithiocarbonates and OxiranesThe cyclic trithiocarbonates 1.3-dithiolane-2-thione (4) and 1,3-dithiole-2-thione (9) in 1,2-dichloroethane and MeCN, respectively, react with alkyl- and phenyl-substituted oxiranes 2 in the presence of Lewis acids to give 1-oxa-4,6,9-trithiaspiro[4.4]nonanes 5 and 6 (Scheme 2) and 1-oxa-4,6,9-trithiaspiro[4.4]non-7-enes 10 and 11 (Scheme 3), respectively. The reactions proceed regioselectively yielding 2-alkyl (5, 10) and 3-phenyl derivatives (6, 11) as the main products. From the reaction of 4 and 2-phenyloxirane (2e) with TiCl4, 2-phenyl-1,4,6,9-tetrathia-spiro[4.4]nonane (7) is isolated as a minor product. The molecular structures of 5a, 6e, and 7 are established by X-ray crystallography.

Notes: The conformations in solution of six selected chiral 1,1′-bis (diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl ligands bearing functionalized side chains, the diastercoisomers 4 and 5 and 6-9, have been elucidated by 2D-NMR methods (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, and 1H,31P and 1H,13C correlations). The possible relationship between the preferred conformation and the stereoselectivity observed in the gold(I)-catalyzed asymmetric aldol condensation in the presence of these ligands is discussed.

Notes: Bimetallic inclusion complexes have been synthesized by a secondary coordination interaction between the guest complex [Fe(η5-C5H5)(CO)2(NH3)][PF6] and copper(II) complex 1a or nickel(II) complex lb containing crown-ether hosts. The X-ray crystal-structure analysis established that the Cu,Fe inclusion complex 2 crystallize as a centrosymmetric dimer with a Cu—Cu separation of 3.73 Å and a novel out-of-plane Cu—N interaction. The magnetic parameters for 2 were obtained by ESR and ENDOR spectroscopy. ESR susceptibility measurements down to 6 K exclude the presence of any antiferromagnetic coupling interaction between the CuIIcenters of the dimer.

Notes: The revised structure of the indole alkaloid aristolasicone (2) was confirmed through a convergent total synthesis of the racemic form of this metabolite. The key step involves a one-pot condensation/cyclization reaction between 1-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole-2-acetaldehyde (9) and (±)-trans-5-(2,6-difluorobenzyloxy)-p-menth-l-en-8-amine ((±)-7). The resulting allohobartine derivative (±)-13, obtained in 84% yield, was deprotected and oxidized to (±)-alloscrratenone ((±)-15) which cyclized smoothly to the target molecule (±)-2 upon exposure to BF3 · Et2O.

Notes: Acylnitroso dienophiles 4 reacted instantly with 1-(silyloxy)butadiene 5α and led in good yield to the regioisomeric cycloadducts 6 (major) and 7 (minor; Scheme 2, Table 1). cis-Hydroxylation of these primary cycloadducts with OsO4 (catalyst) occurred stereospecifically and in high yield (→8 and 9, resp.; Scheme 2). It was followed by reductive ring cleavage to give either 1-amino-1-deoxy-DL-erythritol or 4-amino-4-deoxy-DL-erythrose derivatives 10 and 14, respectively, depending on the nature of the reducing agent (Schemes 3 and 4).

Notes: The autoxidation of CuI in aqueous MeCN has been studied using a Clark oxygen electrode in the presence and absence of Cu11. The reaction is inhibited by Cu11 in the pH range of 0.5 to 5.0, reaching a lower limiting value at the highest concentrations. The reaction order changes from 1 to 2 with respect to CuI under the influence of Cu2+ ion. Detailed kinetics analysis of a total of 275 measurements has shown that an unstable primary adduct CuO+2 decomoses to give .O2- or HO2., depnding on pH, and also reacts directly with a second Cu+ ion, avoiding one-electrton reduction of O2 by this path. Reaction of HO2. is faster with CuI than with Cu11 by a factor of 20, and single-electron transfer within CuO+2 to Cu2+ and .O2- predominates over reaction with a second copper ion for [CuItot] 〈 2. 10-3M in the absence of Cu2+. The most likely value for the reaction of .O2- with CuI is 5.3 · 108 M-1S-1, but even this high rate constant is at the limit of significance. All secondary reactions followinfg the initial formation of CuO+2 are shown to be very fast, a fact that should be properly considered in the discussion of mechanisms of copper-catalyzed oxidations and oxygenations.

Notes: Molecular-mechanics calculations of the sexidentate coordinated complexes of the pendant arm macrocyclic hexaamines trans- (L1) and cis-6,13-dimethyl-3,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-6,13-diamine (L2) reveal that the trans-isomer shows a preference toward small metal ions, whereas the L2 may coordinate a wider range of metal ions without significant intramolecular strain. Conformational disorder in previously reported crystal structures of complexes of L1 is interpreted, and predictions for some, as yet, unknown complexes of L2 are made.

Notes: Oligonucleotides continuing 3-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine (I) or its N7-regioisomer 2 were prepared by solid-phase synthesis using P111 chemistry. Protection of 1 or 2 with N,N V-dimethylformamide diethyl acetal followed by 4,4′-dimethoxytritylation afforded imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines 10b and 11b, respectively. The latter were converted into the 3′-phosphonates 10c or lie, respectively; the cyanoethyl N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite 10d was also prepared. The oligonucleotide building blocks were employed in automated solid-phase synthesis. 1 he self-complementary oligomers 13, 15, and 17 were prepared and characterized by enzymatic hydrolysis with snake-venom phosphodiesterase followed by alkaline phosphatase. There CD spectra exhibited the general structure of a B-DNA.

Notes: Force-field parameters have been developed for the molecular-mechanics calculation of tertiary carbenium ions with tricyclane structure, for tertiary cyclobutyl and cubyl cations. The cyclobutyl parameters are also applicable to tertiary 7-norbornyl cations. Satisfactory plots are obtained for correlation of the rates of solvolysis with the differences in steric energies between carbenium ions and the corresponding bromides.

Notes: The chiral bicyclic imidazol derivatives 7 and 8 were obtained from D-glucose derivative 9 by a sequence of selective protection/deprotection and intramolecular SN2 reactions. Triols 7 and 8 are analogues of 6-epica-stanospermine (4) and of 3,7a-diepialexine (6), respectively, and are potential glycosidase inhibitors. However, their anti-HIV activity proved to be only marginal.

Notes: Raclopride, an antipsychotic 6-methoxysalicylamide (= 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzamide) derivative, was shown by titrimetry and UV-pholometry to exist in zwitterionic form at physiological pH. Calculations revealed that the neutral and zwitterionic forms differ considerably in their conformational behavior, the latter form being energetically favored by an intramolecular phenolate-ammonium ionic bond. These findings indicate that raciopride and other halogenated 6-melhoxysalicylamides with a highly acidic phenolic group may not resemble other ortho-methoxybenzamides in their stereoelectronic structure and mode of binding to the dopamine D2 receptor.

Notes: Isolation of (-)-dunnione from the leaves of Calceolaria integrifolia, MURR. (fam. Scrophulariaceae)From the leaves of Calceolaria integrifolia, a plant often used in horticulture. partially racemic (-)-dunnione (1) has been isolated. This seems to be the first record of its occurrence outside the family Gesneriaceae, where it previously has been found in two species as the (+)-enantiomer.

Notes: A chiral economic synthesis of (R)- and (S)-muscone using the cyclofragmentation of epoxysulfonesStarting with isobutyric acid (2) and using a microbiological oxidation with pseudomonas putida (S)-β-hydroxy-iso-butyric acid (3) has been prepared. From this /pseudosymmetrical: (see text) intermediate the two enantiomeric bromo derivatives 8 (R) and 20 (S) have been synthesized (cf. scheme 4) by altering the sequence of the reactions (cf. scheme 3). A Grignard reaction starting from the two bromo compounds 8 and 20 and from cyclododecanone 1 produced after hydrogenolysis the two enantiomeric dialcohols 9 and 21 (1 + 8 → 9, 1 + 20 → 21, cf. scheme 5). The subsequent transformations led to the two enantiomeric olefin derivatives 12 and 24. Oxidation of 12 with peracid produced a mixture of the two epoxy-sulfones 13 and 14 (cf. scheme 6). The olefin-derivative 24 was oxidized to the corresponding mixture of 25 and 26. A one pot cyclofragmentation (cf. [4] and scheme 6) produced a mixture of (E)- and (Z)-3-methylcyclopentadec-4-en-1-one (13 + 14 → 15 + 16, 25 + 26 → 27 + 28). The final hydrogenation led to natural (R)- and unnatural (S-muscone (3-methylcyclopentadecanone). The achiral starting material has been transformed to the desired optically active target products without loss of material with undesired absolute configuration. The authors used the notion of chiral economic synthesis to characterize synthetic sequences with the above mentioned features.

Notes: The structures of cyclic polyketones, their hydrates and reduction products were studied in different solvents by 13C-NMR. spectroscopy. In dimethylsulfoxide solution rhodizonic acid (1), croconic acid (2) and squaric acid (3) exhibit signal averaging. In anhydrous tetrahydrofuran 1 and 2 could be observed as non-dynamic species. The spontaneous reactions of dodecahydroxycyclohexane (5) and decahydroxycyclopentane (‘leuconic acid’) (6) and the sequence of formation of ring-contracted products were investigated. Key intermediates could be clearly identified which support the mechanism proposed earlier involving a benzylic acid type rearrangement followed by decarboxylation and subsequent redox reactions.

Notes: In order to test the effects of the replacement of phenylalanine by carboranylalanine (Car) in biological ligand-acceptor interactions, Z · Ala-Ala-Car · OH (1) and Ac · Car · OEt (2) were synthesized and their reactions with chymotrypsin studied. The two compounds proved to be good inhibitors with K(i) values of 3 · 10-4M (1) and 8.6 · 104M (2); the K(i) of Z · Ala-Ala-Phe · OH (1a) is 1 · 10-3M. The inhibition constants were determined by a new photolytic technique, inhibition of photoaffinity labelling by Z · Ala-Ala-Phe(pN3) · OH. Ac · Car · OEt is not hydrolysed by chymotrypsin. The findings indicate that the carboranyl group can interact with the ‘phenyl recognition site’ of the enzyme to produce the binding that is characteristic of aromatic amino acid residues. However, some kind of distortion in the region of the ‘mechanistic site’ must be postulated in order to account for the failure of hydrolysis. Some possible effects of the replacement of aromatic amino acids by Car in peptide hormones on hormone-receptor interactions are discussed.

Notes: 1,3-Cyclobutanedione derivatives from keteneThe dimerisation of ketene leads mainly to the methylidene-β-lactone ‘Diketene’ 2c. It is shown, that also a small amount of the symmetrical dimer, 1,3-cyclobutadione 1c is produced, which under the reaction conditions is acetylated to 3-acetoxycyclo-butenone (5).

Notes: Synthese von 4-(4′-Methyl-2′-oxo-cyclohex-3′-en-1′-yl)-pentanal und dessen Umwandlung in Spiro[4.5]decan- und 1,6,7,7a-Tetrahydro-2H-inden-DerivateEs wird die Synthese von 4-(4′-Methyl-2′-oxo-cyclohex-3′-en-1′-yl)-pentanal als ein (1:1)-Gemisch von zwei Diastereoisomeren 10A und 10B auf folgendem Weg beschrieben: Die Umsetzung des Grignard-Reagens von 1,1-Äthylendioxy-3-brom-propan (2) mit 2-Methoxy-4-methyl-acetophenon (1) ergab 1,1-Äthylendioxy-4-hydroxy-4-(2′-methoxy-4′-methyl-phenyl)-pentan (3), welches sich mit methanolischer Salzsäure in 2-Methoxy-5-(2′-methoxy-4′-methyl-phenyl)-5-methyl-tetrahydrofuran (7A,B) umwandeln liess. Durch Birch-Reduktion von 7A,B wurde 4-(2′-Methoxy-4′-methyl-cyclohexa-1′,4′-dien-1′-yl)-pentan-1-ol (8), und danach durch milde Hydrolyse 4-(4′-Methyl-2′-oxo-cyclohex-3′-en-1′-yl)-pentan-1-ol (9A,B)2 erhalten. Oxydation von 9A,B lieferte schliesslich den erwähnten Keto-aldehyd 10A,B. Einige Produkte von Nebenreaktionen, nämlich 4, 5, 11, 12 und 13A,B, sind auch beschrieben.Der Keto-aldehyd 10A,B liess sich in ein Gemisch, bestehend aus drei Diastereo-isomeren A, B und C von 1-Hydroxy-4,8-dimethyl-spiro[4.5] dec-7-en-6-on (15) und aus zwei Diastereoisomeren A und B von 1,5-Dimethyl-1,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-2H-inden-3-carbaldehyd (14), umwandeln. Für diese aldolartigen Cyclisierungen wurden vier verschiedene Methoden verwendet: (a) Stehenlassen in Tetrachlorkohlenstoff-lösung, (b) Behandlung mit etwas Trifluoressigsäure in Chloroformlösung, (c) und (d) Schütteln einer Ätherlösung mit wässeriger Salzsäure oder Natronlauge. Oxydation von 15A und 15C lieferte eines der Diasteroisomeren von 4,8-Dimethyl-spiro[4.5]-dec-7-en-1,6-dion (16A), und Oxydation von 15B führte zum anderen (16B).

Notes: Synthesis of fulvenes via 1-chloroaklyl-acetatesThe synthesis of fulvenes (5) via l-chloroalkyl acetates (3) is extended to 6-alkyl-fulvenes with branched side-chains, to 6-phenylfulvene (5f) and 6-(2-furyl)fulvene (5g), as well as to 6-vinylfulvenes (5h and 5i) containing chlorine and acetoxy-substituents in ω-position. The reaction is carried out at low temperature under water-free conditions. The purification of the reaction products is simple. - An improved procedure for the preparation of pure fulvene (5a, R=R′=H) is reported.

Notes: Activated quinones: substitution reactions by methoxy-carbonyl-1,4-benzoquinone of azulenes, benzofuran and indoles; regiospecific syntheses of polymethoxy-fluorenones; a new synthesis of the 2,6-dihydro-naphtho[1,2,3-cd]indol-6-one system.We present new electrophilic substitution reactions of azulenes and 5-membered heterocyclics by methoxy-carbonyl-1,4-benzoquinone. Hydroquinones 3a and 5 are prepared from azulene, and 3b from guaiazulene (see Scheme 1). Benzofuran undergoes α- and β-substitution (hydroquinones 9 10) (see Scheme 2). Only β-substitution is observed with indole (hydroquinone 20) (see Scheme 4). After methylation, saponification and intramolecular acylation of the substituted indoles 22c, 22d, derivatives of 2,6-dihydro-naphtho[1,2,3-cd]indol-6-one have been obtained. Spectral data prove the presence of the methylidenequinone tautomer. By protonation or alkylation at the carbonyl group of 23, the violet, highly delocalized 16π-electron systems 25 are generated. Analogously, polymethoxy-fluorenones have been prepared from methoxylated diphenylquinones 15 (see Scheme 3). They also are transformed by protonation and alkylation to the highly coloured and delocalized 12 π-electron systems 18. By contrast, anthracene is not substituted by methoxycarbonyl-1,4-benzoquinone, but undergoes cycloaddition to the triptycene derivative 1 (see Scheme 1). A summary is presented of previously described reactions of activated quinones.

Notes: An ab initio study of α-seleno carbanions show that they are subject to appreciable polarization and stereoelectronic effects. Like in α-thia carbanions, the equatorial e forms are more stable than the axial a forms, one of the stabilizing contributions being the conformation dependent (C-lone pair, σ* Se—Z) interaction. The carbanion stabilizing effect of the α-Se atom is about 3 kcal/mol larger than that of the sulfur analog. As in the case of the sulfur no specific effect of the d orbitals is found.

Notes: The radical anions of 6a-thiathiophthenes ([1,2]dithiolo[1,5-b] [1,2]dithioles), I(R), convert into those of 4H-thiapyran-4-thiones, III(R), via cis-trans isomerization. The reaction is slowed down when the size of the substituent R in the 2,5-positions of 6a-thiathiophthene increases, and it is prevented by the introduction of a 3,4-polymethylene bridge. The primary and the secondary radical anions, I(R)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document} and III(R)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, respectively, exhibit very similar hyperfine splitting patterns. E.g., in the case of the unsubstituted 6a-thiathiophthene, I(H), and 4H-thiapyran-4-thione, III(H), the proton coupling constants are aH2,5=6.72 and aH3,4=1.73 Gauss for I(H)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, and aH2,6=6.35 and aH3,5=2.07 Gauss for III(H)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}. In contrast to I(H)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, cis-trans isomerization could not thus far be proved to occur with its 1,6-dioxa-analogue, IV(H)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, since no ESR. spectrum of the radical anion of 4H-pyran-4-thione, V(H), was detected upon reduction of IV(H).

Notes: Leaf-gland Pigments: Coleon L, a New Diosphenolic Compound from Coleus somaliensis, S. MOORE; Revision of the Structures of Coleon H, I, I′ and KFrom 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.

Notes: The ESR. spectrum of the relatively unstable radical anion of diphenylcyclo-propenone (II) has been observed upon electrolytic reduction of II in N,N-di-methylformamide and 1,2-dimethoxyethane. Simple MO models account well for the π-spin distribution and for the restricted rotation of the phenyl substituents in II\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}. A rather facile loss of a CO molecule by II\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document} results in formation of the radical anion of tolane (diphenylacetylene; III). No ESR. spectra could be obtained for the radical anions of dialkylcyclopropenones which are even shorter-lived than II\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, although decay by decarbonylation seems to be less favoured with them than with II\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}. In presence of air, electrolytic reduction of either II or its dimethyl and di-t-butyl analogues yields the correspondingly disubstituted semidione anions.

Notes: Reactions with derivatives of γ-chloroacetoacetic acidEthyl γ-chloroacetoacetate reacts with ammonia to give ethyl β-amino-γ-chloro-crotonate; with aniline, however, β-anilino-crotonic acid γ-lactone is formed. The reaction of ethyl α-cyano-γ-chloro-acetoacetate with arylamines yields 1-aryl-2-amino-3-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrrolin-4-ones.

Notes: The Structure of Cyclosporin CThe structure of cyclosporin C (2), a minor antifungal metabolite from Trichoderma polysporum (Link ex Pers.) RIFAI has been elucidated. Hydrolytic cleavage and spectroscopic evidence show that cyclosporin C is a neutral oligopeptide of 11 amino acids linked together in a 33-membered ring. Cyclosporin C (2) differs from the main metabolite cyclosporin A (1) [2] [4] only by containing L-threonine in the place of L-α-aminobutyric acid as has been shown by the conversion of 2 into 1. 13C-NMR. spectra and study of molecular models suggest that cyclosporin C (2) has the same molecular conformation as 1, which is best described as a twisted β-pleated sheet held together in a conformationally stable form by intramolecular hydrogen bonding.