Chemical modification of the nonreducing,terminal group of maltotriose

O-α-d-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucopyranose (12) was prepared by inversion of configuration at C-4″ of 2,3,2′,3′,6′,2″,3″-hepta-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-4″,6″-di-O-methylsulfonyl-β-maltotriose (7), followed by O-deacylation, acetylation, acetolysis, and de-O-acetylation. The intermediate 7 was obtained by treatment of 1,6-anhydro-β-maltotriose (2) with benzal chloride in pyridine, followed by acetylation, removal of the benzylidene group, and methane-sulfonylation. Selective tritylation of 2 and subsequent acetylation afforded 2,3,2′,3′,6′,2″,3″,4″-octa-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-6″-O-trityl-β-maltotriose (6), which was O-detritylated and p-toluenesulfonylated to give 2,3,2′,3′,6′,2″,3″,4″-octa-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-6″-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-β-maltotriose (13). Nucleophilic displacement of 13 with thioacetate, iodide, bromide, chloride, and azide ions gave 6″-S-acetyl- (14), 6″-iodo- (15), 6″-bromo- (16), 6″-chloro- (19), and 6″-azido- (20) 1,6-anhydro-β-maltotriose octaacetates, respectively. 6″Deoxy- (18) and 6″-acetamido-6″-deoxy (21) derivatives of 1,6-anhydro-β-maltotriose decaacetates were also prepared from 15 and 16, and 20, respectively. Acetolysis of 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 21 afforded 1,2,3,6,2′,3′,6′,2″,3″,4″-deca-O-acetyl-6″-S-acetyl (22), -6″-iodo (23), -6″-bromo (24), -6″-deoxy (25), -6″-chloro (26), and -6″-acetamido-6′-deoxy (27) derivatives of α-maltotriose, respectively. O-Deacetylation of 24, 25, and 26 furnished 6″-bromo-(28), 6″-deoxy- (29), and 6″-chloro- (30) maltotrioses, respectively, which on acetylation gave the corresponding β-decaacetates.     

18-Norspirostanol derivatives from Trillium tschonoskii

Three 18-norspironstanol oligoglycosides partly acylated in their sugar moieties were isolated from the underground parts of Trillium tschonoskii. Their structures were characterized, as 1-O-[2″,3″,4″-tri-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-epitrillenogenin-24-O-acetate, 1-O-[2″,3″,4″-tri-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamno-pyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-epitrillenogenin and 1-O-[2″,4″-di-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-epitrillenogenin-24-O-acetate.     

Distinct chemotypes of Tephrosia vogelii and implications for their use in pest control and soil enrichment

Tephrosia vogelii Hook. f. (Leguminosae) is being promoted as a pest control and soil enrichment agent for poorly-resourced small-scale farmers in southern and eastern Africa. This study examined plants being cultivated by farmers and found two chemotypes. Chemotype 1 (C1) contained rotenoids, including deguelin, rotenone, sarcolobine, tephrosin and α-toxicarol, required for pest control efficacy. Rotenoids were absent from chemotype 2 (C2), which was characterised by prenylated flavanones, including the previously unrecorded examples (2S)-5,7-dimethoxy-8-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1Z-enyl)flavanone, (2S)-5,7-dimethoxy-8-(3-methylbut-1,3-dienyl)flavanone, (2S)-4′-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″:7,8]flavanone, (2S)-5-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethyl-4″,5″-dihydrocyclopropa[4″,5″]furano[2″,3″:7,8]flavanone, (2S)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-8-prenylflavanone, and (2R,3R)-3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″:7,8]flavanone. The known compounds (2S)-5-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″:7,8]flavanone (obovatin 5-methyl ether) and 5,7-dimethoxy-8-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1Z-enyl)flavone (Z-tephrostachin) were also found in C2. This chemotype, although designated Tephrosia candida DC. in collections originating from the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), was confirmed to be T. vogelii on the basis of morphological comparison with verified herbarium specimens and DNA sequence analysis. Sampling from 13 locations in Malawi where farmers cultivate Tephrosia species for insecticidal use indicated that almost 1 in 4 plants were T. vogelii C2, and so were unsuitable for this application. Leaf material sourced from a herbarium specimen of T. candida contained most of the flavanones found in T. vogelii C2, but no rotenoids. However, the profile of flavonol glycosides was different to that of T. vogelii C1 and C2, with 6-hydroxy-kaempferol 6-methyl ether as the predominant aglycone rather than kaempferol and quercetin. The structures of four unrecorded flavonol glycosides present in T. candida were determined using cryoprobe NMR spectroscopy and MS as the 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)-β-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside, 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)[α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)]-β-galactopyranoside, 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)[α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)]-β-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside, and 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)[(3-O-E-feruloyl)-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)]-β-galactopyranosides of 6-hydroxykaempferol 6-methyl ether. Tentative structures for a further 37 flavonol glycosides of T. candida were assigned by LC–MS/MS. The correct chemotype of T. vogelii (i.e. C1) needs to be promoted for use by farmers in pest control applications.     

6′-substituted and 6′,6″-disubstituted derivatives of raffinose

The reaction of 6′-chloro-6′-deoxyraffinose deca-acetate with a variety of nucleophilic anions (Br^-,I^-,N^-₃) gave the corresponding 6′-substituted raffinoses. The 6′-azide was further converted into 6′-amino-6′-deoxyraffinose, isolated as its N-acetyl derivative, and silver fluoride-induced elimination of hydrogen iodide from the 6′-iodide gave the 6′-deoxy-5′-ene. Treatment of 6′-chloro-6′-deoxyraffinose and 6′,6″-dichloro-6′,6″-dideoxyraffinose with base afforded, respectively, 3′,6′-anhydro-and 3′,6′;3″,6″-dianhydro-raffinose in high yields. In addition, the dichloride was converted into 6′,6″-diazido-6′,6″-dideoxyraffinose.     

Biflavones from the leaves of Araucaria excelsa

Eight biflavones have been isolated from the leaf extracts of Araucaria excelsa. 7″-O-Methylamento-flavone, 7,7″-di-O-methylamentoflavone, 4′ or 4″', 7-di-O-methylcupressuflavone, 7,7″,4″'-tri-O-methyl agathisflavone and 7,4′,7″-tri-O-methylamentoflavone are new compounds and are being reported for the first time. The others are 7,7″-di-O-methylagathisflavone,7,4′,7″,4″'-tetra-O-methylamentoflavone and 7,4′,7″,4″'-tetra-O-methyl-cupressuflavone. Mass and NMR spectral studies are used for structural elucidation. In addition, the presence of several other biflavones has been indicated by TLC examination of methylated products.     

An alkaloid from Haplophyllum tuberculatum

A new alkaloid (+)-tuberine was isolated from Haplophyllum tuberculatum. Physicochemical and spectral evidence established its structure and stereochemistry as N- benzoyl-4′-[(2″S,3″S,6″S)-(+)-7″-acetoxy-2″-hydroxy-3″,7″-dimethyl-3″,6″-epoxyoctyloxy]phenethylamine.     

Two further acylated flavone glucosides from Anisomeles ovata

The structures of two new acylated apigenin glucosides are reported from the aerial parts of Anisomeles ovata. They were separated as their acetates and identified as apigenin 7-O-β-d-(2″,6″-di-O-p-coumaroyl)glucoside and apigenin 7-O-β-d-(4″,6′-di-O-p-coumaroyl)glucoside by ¹H NMR study of the acetates and by chemical degradative methods. The allocation of the p-coumaroyl moieties is also supported by a study of the ¹³C NMR spectrum of the inseparable mixture of glucosides.     

(2S)-Prenylflavanones and taraxerane triterpenoids from Mallotus mollissimus

Three prenylflavanones, (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-8-(3″,3″-dimethylallyl)flavanone (3), (2S)-5,4′-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-6-(3″,3″-dimethylallyl)flavanone (6), 8-prenylnaringenin (11), and a new epimeric pair (2″S/2″R)-(2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-6-(2″-hydroxy-3″-methylbut-3″-enyl)flavanones (4a/4b) were isolated together with taraxerone, taraxerol, epitaraxerol, β-sitosterol, oleanolic acid, 1-O-docosanoyl glycerol, apigenin, and apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside from the MeOH extract of the leaves of Mallotus mollissimus. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined on the basis of 1D/2D NMR and HR-MS spectroscopic data; the 2S configuration of the prenylflavanones 3, 4, and 6 was deduced from CD spectroscopic data. The presence of three taraxerane triterpenoids reinforces the inclusion of M. mollissimus (syn. Croton mollissimus) in Mallotus genus. Among species of Mallotus the occurrence of the (2S)-prenylflavanones 3, 4, and 6 is confined to M. mollissimus.     

Isoflavones from Lupinus angustifolius root

Two novel isoflavones, 5,7,2′-trihydroxy-6-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-[6″,6″-dimethylpyrano(2″,3″:4′,3′) ]-isoflavone and 5,2′,4′-trihydroxy-3′-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-[6″,6″-dimethylpyrano(2″,3″:7,6)]isoflavone, have been isolated from the roots of Lupinus angustifolius cv. Uniharvest. Structures were established by analysis of ¹³C NMR and other spectral data, and by chemical conversion of one of the compounds to a coumaronochromone.     

Xanthones from Tovomita pyrifolium

The wood of Tovomita pyrifolium (Guttiferae) contains the novel tovopyrifolins A [1,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-5-prenyl-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano (2′,3′:3,2)xanthone], B (1,5-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyxanthone) and C (1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone) and also the known tovophyllins A and B [structure revised to 1,6-dihydroxy-5-prenyl-6′, 6′-dimethylpyrano(2′,3′:3,2)-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano(2″,3″:7,8)xanthone].     

Optimization of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of acetylated EGCG by response surface methodology

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) acetylated derivatives, which can be widely used as a natural antioxidant in both lipid containing food and cosmetic applications, were prepared by lipase catalyzed acylation of EGCG with vinyl acetate. Response surface methodology (RSM) and 5-level-4-factor central composite rotatable design (CCRD) were employed to evaluate the effects of synthesis parameters, such as reaction time (6–10 h), temperature (30–50 °C), enzyme amount (1.5–2.5% (w/w) of substrate), and substrate molar ratio of EGCG to vinyl acetate (0.5–1.5) on conversion of EGCG. By using multiple regression analysis, the experimental data were fitted to a second order polynomial model. The most suitable combination of variables was 40 °C, 2.12%, 10 h and 1.13 for the reaction temperature, the enzyme amount, the reaction time, and EGCG/vinyl acetate mole ratio, respectively. At these optimal conditions, the conversion yield reached 87.37%. The presence of mono-, di- and tri-acetylated derivatives in acetylated EGCG was confirmed by LC–MS-MS and identified as 5″-O-acetyl-EGCG, 3″, 5″-2-O-acetyl-EGCG and 5′, 3″, 5″-3-O-acetyl-EGCG by NMR.     

A chalcone and an isoflavone from Millettia pachycarpa seeds

Chemical examination of the seeds of Millettia pachycarpa has yielded a new prenylated isoflavone and a new prenylated chalcone in addition to the previously reported isoflavones 5-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano (2″,3″:7,8)isoflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone, 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,8-diprenyl-isoflavone and pomiferin.     

Structural confirmation of dihydrocinnamic acids from Adiscanthus fusciflorus by 13C NMR

In the wood of Adiscanthus fusciflorus six known alkaloids 4-methoxy-2-quinolone, 1-methyl-4-methoxy-2-quinolone, dictamine, skimmianine, γ-fagarine and N-methylflindersine and two new dihydrocinnamic acids 3-[2′,6′-dimethoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano(2″,3″:4′, 3′)phenyl]-propionic acid and its methyl ester were identified. The structures of the dihydrocinnamic acid derivatives were confirmed by ¹³C NMR.     

Xanthones and biflavonoids from Garcinia densivenia stem bark

The stem bark of a species of Garcinia (Guttiferae), provisionally identified as G. densivenia, has yielded a xanthone and two biflavonoids. The xanthone has been characterized as a novel 1,3,5,6-tetraoxygenated compound and has been assigned the trivial name pyranojacareubin (1,5-dihydroxy-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano (2′,3′:3,2)-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano (2″,3″:6,7)-xanthone). The biflavonoids were identified as morelloflavone and its methyl ether derivative, O-methyl fukugetin.     

Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans from Piper cubeba

Six more lignans have been isolated from the hot petrol extract of Piper cubeba fruits. Of these, three compounds which have been isolated from a natural source for the first time were characterized as (2R,3R)-2-(5″-methoxy-3″,4″-methylenedi [(−)-cubebinone], (2R,3R)-2-(3″,4″-methylenedioxybenzyl)-3-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl)butyrolactone [(−)-isoyatein] and (2R,3R)-2-(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxybenzyl)-3-(3′,4′-dimethoxybenzyl)butyrolactone [(−)-di-O-methyl thujaplicatin methyl ether, i.e. (−)-thujaplicatin trimethyl ether]. The other three compounds were identified as (−)-yatein, (−)-cubebininolide and (2R,3R)-2-(3″,4″-methylenedioxybenzyl)-3-(3′,4′-dimethoxybenzyl) butyrolactone.     

Synthesis of methyl α- and β-maltotriosides and aryl β-maltotriosides

Reaction of β-maltotriose hendecaacetate with phosphorus pentachloride gave 2′,2″,3,3′,3″,4″,6,6′,6″,-nona-O-acetyl-(2)-O-trichloroacetyl-β-maltotriosyl chloride (2) which was isomerized into the corresponding α anomer (8). Selective ammonolysis of 2 and 8 afforded the 2-hydroxy derivatives 3 and 9, respectively; 3 was isomerized into the α anomer 9. Methanolysis of 2 and 3 in the presence of pyridine and silver nitrate and subsequent deacetylation gave methyl α-maltotrioside. Likewise, methanolysis and O-deacetylation of 9 gave methyl β-maltotrioside which was identical with the compound prepared by the Koenigs—Knorr reaction of 2,2′,2″,3,3′,3″,4″,6,6′,6″-deca-O-acetyl-α-maltotriosyl bromide (12) with methanol followed by O-deacetylation. Several substituted phenyl β-glycosides of maltotriose were also obtained by condensation of phenols with 12 in an alkaline medium. Alkaline degradation of the o-chlorophenyl β-glycoside decaacetate readily gave a high yield of 1,6-anhydro-β-maltotriose.     

Four New Acylated Iridoid Glycosides from the Aerial Part of Veronicastrum sibiricum and Their Antioxidant Response Element‐Inducing Activity

Four new ( 1 – 4 ) and one known ( 5 ) acylated iridoid glycosides were isolated from the aerial parts of Veronicastrum sibiricum (L.) Pennell . The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were determined to be 3″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosyl‐10‐O‐bergaptol‐5,7‐bisdeoxycynanchoside ( 1 ), 3″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosylpaulownioside ( 2 ), 2″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosylcatalpol ( 3 ), 3″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosylaucubin ( 4 ), and 3″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosylcatalpol ( 5 ) using spectroscopic techniques. Among these compounds, compound 5 increased antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase activity.     

New prenylated isoflavones and a prenylated dihydroflavonol from Millettia pachycarpa

Extraction of Millettia pachycarpa Benth. gave 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (1a), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,3′-diprenylisoflavone (2a), 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (3a) and (2R, 3R)-5,4′-dihydroxy-8-prenyl-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″: 7,6]-dihydroflavonol (4a) whose structures were established by chemical transformations and spectroscopic means. Pectolinarigenin and salvigenin were isolated from Buddleia macrostachya Benth.     

Biflavonoids from Ochna lanceolata

Two new biflavonoids, 7,4′,7″,4‴-tetramethylisochamaejasmin (1) and 2,3-dihydroochnaflavone 7″-O-methyl ether (2), together with six known flavonoids (3–8) were isolated from the stem bark of Ochna lanceolata. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral studies.