Synthesis of D-manno-3-heptulose,D-ido-3-heptulose,and some aldoheptoses via isopropylidene derivatives of heptitols

D-manno-3-Heptulose (5) was synthesized by dimethyl sulfoxide-phosphorus pentaoxide oxidation of 1,2:3,4:6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-D-manno-heptitol (3, prepared from volemitol), followed by hydrolysis. D-ido-3-Heptulose (8) was synthesized similarly by oxidation of 1,2:4,5:6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-l-galacto-heptitol (7, prepared from D-glycero-l-galacto-heptitol, 6). Another tri-O-isopropylidene derivative (11), having a free primary hydroxyl group, was produced in larger amount than 7, and 11 yielded D-glycero-l-galacto-heptose (14). Compound 8 was also synthesized by way of 1,2:4,5.6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-l-gulo-heptitol (15). The production of 15 from D-glycero-l-gulo-heptitol (13) was accompanied by a larger amount of 2,3:4,5:6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-D-ido-heptitol (17) which, upon oxidation followed by hydrolysis, yielded D-glycero-D-ido-heptose (18). One of the two tri-O-isopropylidene derivatives obtained by acetonation of perseitol, 2,3:4,5:6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-D-galacto-heptitol (19), yielded D-glycero-D-galacto-heptose (20).     

4-deoxy-4-fluoro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-D-xylo-hexulopyranose

A 5-stage synthesis of the title compound (11), the first example of a secondary deoxyfluoroketose, is described. The synthesis comprised the following reaction sequence: D-fructose→1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-D-fructopyranose (4)→1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-tosyl-β-D-fructopyranose (3)→ 3,4-anhydro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-D-ribo-hexulopyranose (9)→4-deoxy-fluoro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-D-xylo-hexulopyranose (11). Fluoride displacement at C-4 in 9 was effected with tetrabutyl-ammonium fluoride in methyl cyanide. Similar treatment of either 3 or 1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-tosyl-β-D-ribo-hexulopyranose (5) failed to yield a fluoro derivative. Compound 5 was prepared by the sequence 4→1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-D-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulopyranose (6)→1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-D-ribo-hexulopyranose (7)→5.     

Reaction of methyl β-d-glycero-l-manno-heptopyranoside with cyclohexanone: Synthesis of the 4- and 6-methyl ethers of d-glycero-l-manno-heptitol

Acid-catalysed condensation of methyl β-d-glycero-l-manno-heptopyranoside with cyclohexanone yielded an approximately 3:1 mixture of the 2,3:6,7- and 2,3:4,7-di-O-cyclohexylideneheptosides (1 and 2), which could be separated either as their benzoates (3 and 4) or as their methyl ethers (5 and 6). The latter compounds afforded the 4- and 6-methyl ethers (7 and 8) of d-glycero-l-manno-heptitol.     

Photochemical addition of 2-propanol and of acetone to 2-acetoxy-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal

Irradiation of a solution of 2-acetoxy-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal (1) in 1:200 acetone-2-propanol with a high-pressure mercury-lamp gave 4,5,6,8-tetra-O-acetyl-3,7-anhydro-1-deoxy-2-C-methyl-D-glycero-D-gulo-octitol (2) (51.2%), -D-glycero-D-ido-octitol (3) (16.2%), and-D-glycero-D- galacto-octitol (4) (21.0%). The irradiation of 1 in 1:1 acetone-2-propanol gave 5,6,8-tri-O-acetyl-3,7-anhydro-1-deoxy-4-C-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-C-methyl-D-glycero-D-(gluco or manno, etc.)-octitol 2,4,4¹-orthoacetate (17%) and a 2:1:1 mixture of 2, 3, and 4 (64%). Moreover, the irradiation of 1 in 1:9 acetone-tert-butyl alcohol gave 2 (15%), 3 (9%), 4 (7%), and (4S)-4,5,6,8-tetra-O-acetyl-2,4:3,7-dianhydro-1-deoxy-2-C-methyl-D-gluco-octos-4-ulose (14%).     

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic studies on the stems and leaves of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill

A comprehensive phytochemical investigation of the stems and leaves of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. resulted in isolation of seventeen compounds, including five lignans: meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (1), licarin-A (2), pregomisin (3), gomisin A (4), acutissimanide (5), three phenylpropanoids: 2-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-propane-1,3-diol (6), 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl) phenyl β-D-glucopyranoside (7), erigeside 2 (8), six sesquiterpenoids: 7′-hydroxy-abscisic acid (9), burmannic acid (10), (3S,5R,6R,7E)-3,5,6-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (11), 3-Cyclohexene-1,2-diol, 4-(3-hydroxybutyl)- 3, 5, 5-trimethyl- (12), (−)-loliolide (13), (3Z,5R,8R,11R)-Caryophyll-3-ene-5,8,15-triol (14), one monoterpenoid: (6R,3Z)-6,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenoic acid (15) and two other compounds: methyl shikimate (16), 4-Hydroxydodec-2-enedioic acid (17). Their chemical structures were confirmed through NMR, HRESIMS and comparison with the data in the literature. This is the first report of compounds 5, 6, 8–15, 17 from the family Schisandraceae and compounds 2, 16 from the genus Schisandra. Furthermore, we performed a chemotaxonomic study of the separated compounds.     

Photochemical conversion of sugar dimethylthio-carbamates into deoxy sugars

Protected sugar derivatives having one free hydroxyl group may be deoxygenated at the alcoholic position by ultraviolet irradiation of the corresponding dimethylthiocarbamic esters: a concomitant process leads also to the original alcohol. Thus, on photolysis, the 6-dimethylthiocarbamate (1) or 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose (3) gives 6-deoxy- 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose (2) together with 3. Likewise, the 4-dimethylthiocarbamate (6) of 1,6-anhydro-2.3-O-isopropylidene-β-D-mannopyranose (8) gives a mixture of the 4-deoxy derivative 7 and the alcohol 8. 3-Deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (10) was obtained by irradiation of 3-O-(dimethylthiocarbamoyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (9), and was accompanied by 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (11). The 3-deoxy-3-iodo analog (14) of 11 underwent conversion into 10 by photolysis, and the deoxy sugar 10 was also prepared from 3,3'-dithiobis(1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D--glucofuranose) (12) by the action of Raney nickel. Photolysis of the 2-dimethylthiocarbamate (16) of methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-L-arabinopyranoside (18) gave the 2-deoxy derivative (17), together with the parent alcohol 18, and the same pair of products was obtained by the action of tributylstannane on the 2-(methylthio)thiocarbonyl derivative (19) of 18, although the dimethylthiocarbamate 16 was unreactive toward tributylstannane.     

Taxonomy of the genus Laena from Yunnan in China,with description of eight new species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Lagriinae)

Eight new species of the genus Laena Dejean, 1821 (subfamily Lagriinae, tribe Laenini) from Yunnan Province of China were described and illustrated: L. acutidentata Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. brevicarina Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. dongchuana Zhao & Ren, sp. nov., L. glabridentipa Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. nuda Zhao & Ren, sp. nov., L. raropuncta Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. rugulosa Wei & Ren, sp. nov. and L. spinicla Wei & Ren, sp. nov.. Illustrations and a key to the known Laena species from Yunnan Province are provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FDEDA1E8-2F2E-4732-8DB4-FE2D7BDC75D8.     

Sesquiterpene lactones and other secondary metabolites from Crepis commutata (Spreng.) Greuter – Asteraceae

Sesquiterpene lactones, especially guaianolides, are widespread in the genus Crepis L. We have undertaken the chemical investigation of Crepis commutata (Spreng.) Greuter, an edible plant in Crete. From the non-polar extract of the aerial flowering parts of C. commutata five sesquiterpene lactones: 8-epi-grosheimin (1), 8-epi-isoamberboin (2), 8-epi-isolipidiol (3), 3-acetyl-8-epi-isolipidiol (4), integrifolin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), two flavonoids: luteolin (6), luteolin 7-O-β-D-glucuronide (7), and three phenolic acids: p-anisic acid (8), p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (9) and E-caffeic acid (10) were isolated. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by high-field NMR spectroscopy.     

Dr. Horace S. Isbell

Addition of ethyl isocyanoacetate in strongly basic medium to the glycosuloses 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribo-hexofuranos-3-ulose (1) and 1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-trityl-d-erythro-pentos-3-ulose (2) gave the unsaturated derivatives (E)- and (Z)-3-deoxy-3-C-ethoxycarbonyl(formylamino)methylene-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (3 and 4), and (E)-3-deoxy-3-C-ethoxycarbonyl(formylamino)methylene-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-trityl-α-d-ribofuranose (5). In weakly basic medium, ethyl isocyanoacetate and 1 gave 3-C-ethoxycarbonyl(formylamino)methyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (12) in good yield. The oxidation of 3 and 4 with osmium tetraoxide to 3-C-ethoxalyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (17), and its subsequent reduction to 3-C-(R)-1′,2′-dihydroxyethyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (18) and its (S) epimer (19) and to 3-C-(R)-ethoxycarbonyl(hydroxy)methyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (21) and its (S) epimer (22) are described. Hydride reductions of 12 yielded the corresponding 3-C-(1-formylamino-2-hydroxyethyl), 3-C-(2-hydroxy-1-methylaminoethyl), and 3-C-(R)-ethoxycarbonyl(methylamino)methyl derivatives (13, 14 and 16). Catalytic reduction of 3 and 4 yielded the 3-deoxy-3-C-(R)-ethoxycarbonyl-(formylamino)methyl derivative 6 and its 3-C-(S) epimer. Further reduction of 6 gave 3-deoxy-3-C-(R)-(1-formylamino-2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (23) which was deformylated with hydrazine acetate to 3-C-(R)-(1-amino-2-hydroxyethyl)-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (24). The configurations of the branched-chains in 16, 21, and 22 were determined by o.r.d.     

Branched-chain glycosyl α-amino acids : Part II. Synthesis of 2-D- and 2-L-(3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranos-3-yl)glycine. Analogs of the sugar moiety of the polyoxins

Stereospecific hydroxylation of 3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-trans-and 3-C-cis-(methoxycarbonylmethylene)-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (2 and 3, respectively), with potassium permanganate in pyridine afforded 3-C-[S- and R-hydroxy-(methoxycarbonyl)methyl]-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose, (6 and 7, respectively), in a combined yield, after chromatography, of 43%. Selective formation of monomethanesulfonates (9a and 10a) and p-toluenesulfonates (9b and 10b), followed by treatment with sodium azide and reduction of the azide, afforded the methyl 2-D-(and 2-L-)(3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranos-3-yl)-glycinates (12a and 13a, respectively). Basic hydrolysis of the latter compounds yielded 2-D- and 2-L-(3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranos-3-yl)glycine (12b and 13b, respectively). The structures of the glycosyl amino acids were correlated with that of L-alanine by circular dichroism.     

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Critical Care Pathway Implementation: Incorporation into EMR Significantly Decreases Length of Stay

Objective: We discuss the implementation and outcomes of a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) critical care pathway (CCP) at a 462-bed teaching hospital.Methods: A multi-disciplinary team implemented a DKA CCP that was translated into 3 computerized physician order entry (CPOE) order sets corresponding to the phases of DKA care. Historical and postintervention data were obtained via automated queries of the electronic medical record (EMR) and further analyzed by manual chart review.Results: Average length of stay decreased from 104.3 to 72.9 hours (P = .0003) after implementation of a DKA CCP.Conclusion: Outcome data supports the use of a DKA CCP at our institution.Abbreviations:DKA = diabetic ketoacidosisCCP = critical care pathwayEMR = electronic medical recordCPOE = computerized physician order entryICD-9 = International Classification of Diseases, ninth revisionLoS = length of staySQL = standard query language     

Glycosyl α-amino acids : Part III. Synthesis of D- and L-2-(1,2:5,6-DI-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranos-3-YL)glycine

Stereospecific hydroxylation of (E)-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-(methoxycarbonylmethylene)-α-D-xylo-hexofuranose (2) with potassium permanganate in pyridine afforded pure 3-C-[(R)-hydroxy(methoxycarbonyl)methyl]-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranose (5) in 55% yield. Mesylation of the diol 5 in pyridine yielded the monomethanesulfonate 6 and, in addition, a small proportion of an unsaturated, exocyclic sulfonate 7. Treatment of 6 with sodium azide in N-N-dimethylformamide and reduction of the resultant α-azido ester 9 afforded methyl D- (and L-) 2-(1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranos-3-yl)glycinate, (11a) and (10a), respectively. Basic hydrolysis of 11a and 10a yielded D- and L-2-(1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranos-3-yl)glycine (11b) and (10b), respectively. The structures of the glycosyl α-amino acids were correlated with that of L-alanine by circular dichroism.     

Über die Synthese partiell benzylierter Zucker

1,2:5,6-Di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-allofuranose (1), 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (2), and 1,2.3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose (3) have been separately treated in pyridine solution with trifluoromethanesulphonic anhydride, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulphonyl chloride, and pentaflucrobenzenesulphonyl chloride. Both 1 and 2 afforded the anticipated sulphonic esters. Although 3 also gave the 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulphonic and pentafluorobenzenesulphonic esters, the reaction with trifluoromethanesulphonic anhydride yielded 6-deoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O isopropylidene-6-pyridino-α-D-galactopyranose trifluoromethanesulphonate.     

Hydrophobic substituents increase the potency of salacinol,a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor from Ayurvedic traditional medicine ‘Salacia’

Using an in silico method, seven analogs bearing hydrophobic substituents (8a: Me, 8b: Et, 8c: n-Pent, 8d: n-Hept, 8e: n-Tridec, 8f: isoBu and 8g: neoPent) at the 3′-O-position in salacinol (1), a highly potent natural α-glucosidase inhibitor from Ayurvedic traditional medicine ‘Salacia’, were designed and synthesized. In order to verify the computational SAR assessments, their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evaluated in vitro. All analogs (8a–8g) exhibited an equal or considerably higher level of inhibitory activity against rat small intestinal α-glucosidases compared with the original sulfonate (1), and were as potent as or higher in potency than the clinically used anti-diabetics, voglibose, acarbose or miglitol. Their activities against human maltase exhibited good relationships to the results obtained with enzymes of rat origin. Among the designed compounds, the one with a 3′-O-neopentyl moiety (8g) was most potent, with an approximately ten fold increase in activity against human maltase compared to 1.     

Synthesis of 1-deoxy-3-C-methyl-d-fructose and 1-deoxy-3-C-methyl-d-sorbose

Hydroxylation of trans-1,3,4-trideoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-d-glycero-hex-3-enulose with osmium tetraoxide gave a mixture of 1-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-d-arabino- and -d-xylo-hexulose that was partially resolved by acetonation to give 1-deoxy-2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-β-d-fructopyranose (4), 1-deoxy-3,4:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-keto-d-fructose (5), and 1-deoxy-2,3:4,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-α-d-sorbofuranose (6). Treatment of a mixture of 4 and 5 with sodium borohydride gave, after column chromatography, 4 and 1-deoxy-3,4:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-d-manno- and -d-gluco-hexitol. Deuterated derivatives corresponding to 4–6 were obtained when isopropylidenation was carried out with acetone-d₆. Deacetonation of 4 and 5 yielded 1-deoxy-3-C-methyl-d-fructose, and 6 similarly afforded 1-deoxy-3-C-methyl-d-sorbose.     

Chemical constituents from Psychotria arborea Hiern (Rubiaceae)

The chemical study of the stems extract of Psychotria arborea Hiern led to the isolation of thirteen compounds, including four anthraquinones: 2-methylanthracene-9,10-dione (1), 2-methoxyanthracene-9,10-dione (2), 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthracene-9,10-dione (3) and 3-hydroxy-1-methoxy-2-methylanthracene-9,10-dione (4); two diterpenes: ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (5) and 15-acetoxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (6); two triterpenes, β-amyrin (8) and oleanolic acid (9), one flavonoid: Quercetin (7), three sterols: A mixture of stigmasterol (10) and β-sitosterol (11) and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (12) and one fatty acid (13). The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on NMR and HR-ESIMS analysis, further supported by comparison with previously reported spectral data. Compounds 1–4 and compounds 10–12 were tested for their antibacterial activity against three bacteria strains Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica. All these tested compounds were found to be inactive. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of the obtained compounds was discussed in detail.     

Branched-chain amino sugars. stereospecific synthesis of 3-C-(2-acetamidoethyl)-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose

Condensation of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylo-hexofuranos-3-ulose (1) with diethyl cyanomethylphosphonate afforded a mixture of the cis- and trans-3-cyanomethylene-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylo-hexofuranoses (2) in 80% yield. Catalytic reduction of 2 yielded 3-C-cyanomethyl-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gulofuranose (4) exclusively. Palladium and hydrogen was found to rearrange the exocyclic double bond of 2 to give the 3,4-ene (3). Catalytic reduction of 3 also proceeded stereospecifically to yield 4. Selective hydrolysis of 4 yielded the diol 5, which was cleaved with periodate and the product reduced with sodium borohydride to afford crystalline 3-C-cyanomethyl-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose (6) in 87% yield. Catalytic reduction of the latter with hydrogen and platinum in the presence of acetic anhydride and ethanol gave the crystalline l-amino sugar, 3-C-(2-acetamidoethyl)-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose (7) in 92% yield.     

Studies on the reaction with N-bromosuccinimide of fixed 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane systems in methyl di-O-benzylidene-α-D-hexopyranosides

The reaction of methyl 2,3:4,6-di-O-benzylidene-α-D-mannopyranoside (5) with N-bromosuccinimide gave mainly three, isomeric dibromo dibenzoates, identified as the 3,6-dibromo-altro (1), 3,6-dibromo-manno (2), and 4,6-dibromo-ido (3) derivatives by subsequent chemical transformation and by extended n.m.r.-spectral studies. The reaction of methyl 2,3:4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-allopyranoside (22) with N-bromosuccinimide gave two isomeric dibromo dibenzoates, the 2,6-dibromo-altro (23) and 3,6-dibromo-gluco (24) products, and their structures were similarly assigned. A similar reaction-sequence with methyl 2,3:4,6-di-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranoside (32), however, yielded two isomeric monobenzoates 33 and 34, which could be identified straightforwardly. The results are consistent with the intermediate formation of benzoxonium ions that undergo favored axial attack. Thus the observed products and their ratios in reactions of 5 and of 22 with N-bromo-succinimide are explicable. Compound 32, however, does not appear to react by way of an intermediate, five-membered 2,3-trans benzoxonium ion.     

Interleukin-6-Producing Pheochromocytoma as a New Reason for Fever of Unknown Origin: A Retrospective Study

Objective: To explore the fever of unknown origin (FUO) in patients with interleukin-6 (IL-6)-producing pheochromocytoma.Methods: Patients with pheochromocytoma were enrolled from June 2014 to April 2017. Clinical characteristics were recorded including sex, age, 24-h urinary catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine), tumor size, axillary temperature (AT), white blood cells (WBC), and serum IL-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. IL-6 secretion by pheochromocytoma was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results: We identified 29 cases of pheochromocytoma (7 with high AT and 22 with normal AT). Serum IL-6 and hsCRP levels were increased in the high AT group compared with the normal AT group (both P = .001). After pheochromocytoma resection, AT and IL-6 and hsCRP levels decreased significantly (P<.001, P = .002 and P = .003, respectively). IHC revealed significantly higher IL-6 expression in the high AT group (P = .002).Conclusion: IL-6-producing pheochromocytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of FUO.Abbreviations: AT = axillary temperature; CT = computed tomography; FUO = fever of unknown origin; IHC = immunohistochemistry; IL-6 = interleukin-6; hsCRP = high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; WBC = white blood cells