A new 6-C-alkylation from an alkyl mannofuranoside 5,6-cyclic sulfate

Methyl 6-C-alkyl-6-deoxy-alpha-D-mannofuranoside derivatives have been synthesized from methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-5,6-O-sulfuryl-alpha-D-mannofuranoside (1). In a Path A, reaction of the 5,6-cyclic sulfate 1 with 2-lithio-1,3-dithiane afforded 2-(methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-mannofuranosid-6-yl)-1,3-dith iane (2). Treatment of 2 with n-butyllithium then alkyl iodide gave the corresponding 2-(methyl 5-O-alkyl-6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-mannofuranosid-6-yl )-1,3- dithiane. Reaction of 2 with n-butyllithium and 5,6-cyclic sulfate 1 furnished 2-[methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-(methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-manno-furanosid-6-yl)-alpha-D - mannofuranosid-6-yl]-1,3-dithiane. 2-(Methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methyl-alpha-D-mannofuranosid- 6-yl)-1,3-dithiane was converted into the lithiated anion, which after treatment with alkyl halide afforded the corresponding 2-alkyl-C-(methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methyl-alpha-D-mannofuranosid-6-y l)-1,3- dithiane. In a Path B, 5,6-cyclic sulfate 1 reacted with 2-alkyl-2-lithio-1,3-dithiane derivatives, which led after acidic hydrolysis to 2-alkyl-2-(methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-mannofuranosid-6-yl)-1,3-dith iane accompanied by methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-lyxo-hexofuranos-5-u loside as the by-product. This methodology was applied to synthesize 2-(methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methyl-alpha-D-mannofuranosid-6-y l)-2- (methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-mannofuranosid-6-yl)-1,3-dith iane.     

Dihydrocinnamic acids from Hortia badinii

Hortia badinii (Rutaceae) contains rutecarpine and hortiacine in the bark, as well as coumurrayin, methyl 3-[2-methoxy-6′, 6′-dimethylpyrano(2′,3′:3,4)phenyl]-propionate, 3-[2,6-dimethoxy-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano(2′,3′: 3,4)phenyl]-propionic acid, methyl 3-[2,6-dimethoxy-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano(2′, 3′: 3,4)phenyl]-propionate and methyl 3-[2,4-dimethoxy-3-prenylphenyl]-propionate in the wood.     

Synthesis of methyl glycoside derivatives of tri- and penta-saccharides related to the antithrombin III-binding sequence of heparin, employing cellobiose as a key starting-material

Two key synthons for the title pentasaccharide derivative, methyl O-(methyl 2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)-6-O-acetyl- 2-azido - 3-O- benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside and O-(methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O- chloroacetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-az ido-2- deoxy-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl bromide, were prepared from a common starting material, cellobiose. They were coupled to give a tetrasaccharide derivative that underwent O-dechloroacetylation to the corresponding glycosyl acceptor. Its condensation with the known 6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide afforded a 77% yield of suitably protected pentasaccharide, methyl O-(6-O- acetyl-2-azido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)- O- (methyl 2,3- di-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)-O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2- azido-2 - deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(methyl 2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-alpha-L- idopyranosyluronate)- (1----4)-6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Sequential deprotection and sulfation gave the decasodium salt of methyl O-(2- deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(be ta-D- glucopyranosyl-uronic acid)-(1----4)-O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-3,6-di-O-sulfo-alpha-D-gluco pyranosyl)- (1----4)-O-(2-O-sulfo-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid)-(1----4)-2-deoxy-2- sulfamido-6-O- sulfo-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3). In a similar way, the trisaccharide derivative, the hexasodium salt of methyl O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl)- (1----4)-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1----4)-2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-3,6- di-O- sulfo-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (4) was synthesized from methyl O-(6-O-acetyl-2- azido- 3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(methyl 2,3-di-O- benzyl-beta- D-glucopyranosyluronate)-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-alpha-D- glucopyranoside. The pentasaccharide 3 binds strongly to antithrombin III with an association constant almost equivalent to that of high-affinity heparin, but the trisaccharide 4 appears not to bind.     

The synthesis of a series of modified mannotrisaccharides as probes of the enzymes involved in the early stages of mammalian complex N-glycan formation

A series of mannotrisaccharides were synthesized by two distinct chemical pathways as probes of the enzymes involved in the early stages of mammalian complex N-glycan formation. Methyl (alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-[(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->6)]-beta-D-mannopyranoside (6) and methyl (2-deoxy-2-fluoro-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-[(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->6)]-beta-D-mannopyranoside (8) were rapidly synthesized from unprotected methyl beta-D-mannopyranoside (12). Methyl (2-deoxy-2-fluoro-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-[(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->6)]-beta-D-mannopyranoside (7) and methyl (alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-[(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->6)]-beta-D-mannopyranoside (9) were synthesized from the common orthogonally protected precursor methyl 2-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-beta-D-mannopyranoside (15). The 2-deoxy-2-fluoro substitution common to trisaccharides 7-9 renders these analogues resistant to enzyme action in two distinct ways. Firstly the fluorine serves as a non-nucleophilic isostere for the acceptor hydroxyl in studies with glycosyl transferases GnT-I and GnT-II (7 and 9, respectively). Secondly it should render trisaccharide 8 stable to hydrolysis by the mannosidases Man-II and Man-III by inductive destabilization of their oxocarbenium ion-like transition states. These analogues should be useful for structural studies on these enzymes.     

The role of the oximes HI-6 and HS-6 inside human acetylcholinesterase inhibited with nerve agents: a computational study

The oximes 4-carbamoyl-1-[({2-[(E)-(hydroxyimino) methyl] pyridinium-1-yl} methoxy) methyl] pyridinium (known as HI-6) and 3-carbamoyl-1-[({2-[(E)-(hydroxyimino) methyl] pyridinium-1-yl} methoxy) methyl] pyridinium (known as HS-6) are isomers differing from each other only by the position of the carbamoyl group on the pyridine ring. However, this slight difference was verified to be responsible for big differences in the percentual of reactivation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibited by the nerve agents tabun, sarin, cyclosarin, and VX. In order to try to find out the reason for this, a computational study involving molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and binding energies calculations, was performed on the binding modes of HI-6 and HS-6 on human AChE (HssAChE) inhibited by those nerve agents.     

Characterisation and X-ray crystallography of products from the Bucherer-Bergs reaction of methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-lyxo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside

Methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-mannofuranosidurononitrile [alternative name: methyl (5R)-5-C-cyano-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-lyxofuranoside] (2), methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-mannofuranosiduronamide [methyl (5S)-5-C-carbamoyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-lyxofuranoside; methyl (5S)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-lyxo-hexofuranosiduronamide] (3), methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-mannofuranosiduronic acid [methyl (5S)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-lyxo-hexofuranosiduronic acid] (4), methyl 5-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-ureido-beta-L-gulofuranosiduronamide [methyl (5R)-5-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-ureido-alpha-D-lyxo-hexofuranosiduronamide (5), and (4S,5S,6R)-5,6-dihydro-6-hydroxy-4,5-isopropylidenedioxy-4H-pyrido[2,1-e]imidazolidine-2',4'-dione [IUPAC name: (3aS,4R,8aS)-4-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-3a,8a-dihydro-4H-1,3-dioxa-4a,6-diaza-s-indacene-5,7-dione] (6), instead of the expected hydantoin derivative, were obtained from the Bucherer-Bergs reaction of methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-lyxo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside (1). The structure of 6 was deduced from NMR and mass spectral data and confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The configuration at C-5 in 2-5 was confirmed by establishing the 5S configuration of 3 by X-ray crystallography. Conformations of the six- and five-membered rings in 3 and 6 are also discussed.     

Further Thymol Derivatives from Ageratina cylindrica

From the leaves of Ageratina cylindrica, in addition to the described [(2S)‐2‐{4‐formyl‐5‐hydroxy‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}oxiran‐2‐yl]methyl benzoate (cylindrinol A, 8 ), seven new thymol derivatives were isolated and named cylindrinols B – H ( 1 – 7 ). The structures of these compounds were established as (2‐{4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}oxiran‐2‐yl)methyl benzoate ( 1 ), (2‐{4‐formyl‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}oxiran‐2‐yl)methyl benzoate ( 2 ), (2‐{4‐[(acetyloxy)methyl]‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}oxiran‐2‐yl)methyl benzoate ( 3 ), [2‐(2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]‐4‐{[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]methyl}phenyl)oxiran‐2‐yl]methyl benzoate ( 4 ), [2‐(5‐hydroxy‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]‐4‐{[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]methyl}phenyl)oxiran‐2‐yl]methyl benzoate ( 5 ), 2‐{4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl benzoate ( 6 ), and 2‐hydroxy‐2‐[2‐hydroxy‐4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐phenyl]‐3‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]propyl benzoate ( 7 ), by spectroscopic means. Compounds 1 showed moderate antiprotozoal activity on both protozoa. Compounds 4 and 5 showed selectivity on Giardia lamblia trophozoites. All isolated compounds were less active than two antiprotozoal drugs, metronidazole and emetine, used as positive controls. Compound 5 exhibited a high inhibitory effect on hyperpropulsive movement of the small intestine in rats; its effect was best than loperamide, antidiarrheal drug used as a positive control.     

Pyridinium-carbaldehyde: active Maillard reaction product from the reaction of hexoses with lysine residues

Besides the formation of the aminotriazine N6-[4-(3-amino-1,2,4-triazin-5-yl)-2,3-dihydroxybutyl]-L-lysine, the reaction of [1-13C]D-glucose with lysine and aminoguanidine leads to the generation of 6-[2-([[amino(imino)methyl]hydrazono]methyl)pyridinium-1-yl]-L-norleucine (14-13C1). The dideoxyosone N6-(2,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dioxohexyl)-L-lysine was shown to be a precursor in the formation of 14-13C1, which proceeds via the reactive carbonyl intermediate 6-(2-formylpyridinium-1-yl)-L-norleucine (13-13C1). In order to study the reactivity of 13-13C1, the model compound 1-butyl-2-formylpyridinium (18) was prepared in a two-step procedure starting from 2-pyridinemethanol. The reaction of the pyridinium-carbaldehyde 18 with L-lysine yielded the Strecker analogous degradation product 2-(aminomethyl)-1-butylpyridinium and another compound, which was shown to be as 1-butyl-2-[(2-oxopiperidin-3-ylidene)methyl]pyridinium. Reaction of 18 with the C-H acidic 4-hydroxy-5-methylfuran-3(2H)-one leads to the formation of the condensation product 1-butyl-2-[hydroxy-(4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-oxofuran-2(3H)-ylidene)methyl]-pyridinium.     

Microbial Transformation of Methyl 5(6)-Butyl-2-Benzimidazolecarbamate

The anthelmintic agent methyl 5(6)-butyl-2-benzimidazolecarbamate (Parbendazole) was transformed to two of its animal metabolites, methyl 5(6)-(4-hydroxybutyl)-2-benzimidazolecarbamate and methyl 5(6)-3-(carboxypropyl)-2-benzimidazolecarbamate, by the filamentous fungus Cunninghamella bainieri ATCC 9244. The transformation pathway was shown to be through the 4-hydroxybutyl product to the 3-carboxypropyl product. The reaction favored accumulation of the latter product.     

Synthesis of bis-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-oxamides

The synthesis of a new bis-(D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)oxamides via the key intermediate, N-acetyl N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl) oxamic acid chloride (2alpha) is described. Treatment of compound 2alpha with methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-amino-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside afforded N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-N'-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-oxamide. Reaction of 2alpha with 1,2-diaminoethane afforded 1,2-bis-[N,N'-(methyl 3',4',6'-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2'-yl)]ethyloxamide as a main product, while 2-N-[N'-(methyl 3',4',6'-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2'-yl)oxamide]-ethyl acetamide was formed as a side product. Reaction of 2alpha with 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane gave only 1,3-bis-N,N-[N'-(methyl 3',4',6'-tri-O-acetyl-2'-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2'-yl)-oxamido]-2-propanol.     

Synthesis of a fully protected derivative of O-(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl)-(2----3)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1- ---3)-O- [(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl)-(2----6)]-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha- D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-L-serine

N-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----3)-O-(2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D - galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate-(2----6)]-O-(2-acetamido-4-O-acetyl-2- deoxy-alpha-D- galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-L-serine benzyl ester was synthesized by using O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5- di-deoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]- (2----3)-O-(2,4,6- tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate-(2----6)]-4-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-a lpha- and -beta-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate as a key glycotetraosyl donor which, upon reaction with N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-serine benzyl ester, afforded a 44% yield of a mixture of the alpha- and beta-glycosides in the ratio of 2:5.     

Methyl trisporate E. A sex pheromone in Phycomyces blakesleeanus

Combined mating type cultures of Phycomyces blakesleeanus accumulate 41 mg of trisporic acids/l of medium, of which 30% is trisporic acid E. The methyl ester of trisporic acid E exhibits the same zygophore -inducing activity in bioassays with P. blakesleeanus and Mucor mucedo as does the pheromone methyl trisporate C. The structure of methyl trisporate E is 1,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyl-4-oxo-6-(2'-hydroxyl-6'- methylocta -5',7'-d ien-8'-yl) -5-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester.     

Triterpenes from Mucuna birdwoodiana.

Methanolic extracts of the stalks of Mucuna birdwoodiana on acid hydrolysis and subsequent methylation with diazomethane provided four triterpene sapogenols. On the other hand, investigation of glycosides after methylation of the same extract led to the isolation of four triterpene glycosides. On the basis of chemical and spectral evidence, their structures were characterized as methyl asiatate, methyl maslinate, two new sapogenols, methyl 1 beta,2 alpha,3 beta,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en 28-oate (mucunagenin a), its urs-12-en isomer (mucunagenin b), 3-O-(6-O-methyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl) methyl asiatate 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1----2)]-6-O-methyl-beta-D-glucur onopyranosyl methyl maslinate, 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1----2)]-6-O-methyl-beta-D-glucur onopyranosyl methyl asiatate and 3-O-(6-O-methyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl) asiatic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside.     

Preparation of selenoanhydro- and telluroanhydroglycofuranosides and some corresponding nucleosides

Methyl 2,3-anhydro-alpha-D-ribofuranoside (3a) was transformed into methyl 2-seleno-2,5-anhydro-alpha-D-arabinofuranoside (5a) and methyl 3-seleno-3,5-anhydro-alpha-D-xylofuranoside (6a) in two steps via the reaction of the C-5 mesylate of 3a, methyl 2,3-anhydro-5-O-mesyl-alpha-D-ribofuranoside (4a), with sodium hydrogen selenide. The corresponding beta anomer of 3a yielded methyl 3-seleno-3,5-anhydro-beta-D-xylofuranoside as the main product and only traces of methyl 2-seleno-2,5-anhydro-beta-D-arabinofuranoside. Sodium hydrogen telluride transformed 4a into methyl 2-telluro-2,5-anhydro-alpha-D-arabinofuranoside. Starting from 5a we prepared 1-(2-seleno-2,5-anhydro-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil and the analogous thymidine nucleoside. Compound 6a could not be transformed into nucleosides.     

Synthesis and structure determination of some sugar amino acids related to alanine and 6-deoxymannojirimycin.

(5'R)-5'-Methyl-5'-[methyl (4S)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-L-erythrofuranosid-4-C-yl]-imidazolidin-2',4'-dione was synthesised starting from methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-lyxo-hexofuranosid-5-ulose applying the Bucherer-Bergs reaction. Its 5'-R configuration was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Corresponding alpha-amino acid-methyl (5R)-5-amino-5-C-carboxy-5,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-lyxo-hexofuranoside (alternative name: 2-[methyl (4S)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-L-erythrofuranosid-4-C-yl]-D-alanine) was obtained from the above hydantoin by acid hydrolysis of the isopropylidene group followed by basic hydrolysis of the hydantoin ring. Total deprotection afforded 5-C-carboxy-6-deoxymannojirimycin. Analogously, methyl (5S)-5-amino-5-C-carboxy-5,6-dideoxy-alpha-L-lyxo-hexofuranoside and 5-C-carboxy-6-deoxy-L-mannojirimycin were prepared from the corresponding (5'S)-5'-methyl-5'-[methyl (4R)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-erythrofuranosid-4-C-yl]-imidazolidin-2',4'-dione starting from methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-L-lyxo-hexofuranosid-5-ulose.     

Total synthesis of 3-O-[2-acetamido-6-O-(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl-2-deoxy- alpha-D-galactosyl]-L-serine and a stereoisomer

O-(5-Acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2- nonulopyranoxylonic acid)-(2----6)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3) -L-serine, a structural unit occurring in various submaxillary mucins, was synthesized for the first time by using O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D- galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----6)-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2- azido-2-deoxy-D- galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (13) and N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-serine benzyl ester as the key intermediates. The trichloroacetimidate 13 was prepared by starting from two monosaccharide synthons, namely, allyl 2-azido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranoside and methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-beta-D- galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl chloride)onate, which were coupled in the presence of silver triflate in tetrahydrofuran to give the desired alpha-(2----6)-linked disaccharide in moderate selectivity.     

Stereoselective synthesis of chirally deuterated (S)-D-(6-(2)H(1))glucose

Chirally deuterated (S)-D-(6-(2)H(1))glucose has been prepared in good overall yield from d-(6,6'-(2)H(2))glucose by a short, five-step synthesis from D-(6,6-(2)H(2))glucose utilizing (R)-(+)-Alpine-Borane [(R)-9-[(6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-yl)methyl]-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane]. Suitably protected methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-D-(6,6-(2)H(2))glucopyranoside was prepared and the deuterated O-6 primary alcohol was oxidized to an aldehyde by Swern oxidation. Stereoselective reduction with nondeuterated (R)-(+)-Alpine-Borane gave methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-(6S)-D-(6-(2)H(1))glucopyranoside, which was deprotected under standard conditions to afford the title compound. The key stereoselective reduction step was achieved in 90% yield. The preparation uses economical, commercially available starting materials and will be useful for elucidating biosynthetic mechanisms.     

Activities of 2,4-dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic acid derivatives

Esters of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic acid (2-8) (methyl, ethyl, butyl, pentyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl and benzyl), olivetol (9), methyl, ethyl, butyl perlatolates (10-12), 2,4-dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic acid (15), and methyl and ethyl esters of (15) were prepared through structural modifications of perlatolic acid (1) with the aim to detect new antifungal and antibacterial substances and also to evaluate the toxicity by the brine shrimp lethality assay against Artemia salina. The antifungal assays were carried out against the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum through the bioautography method, and methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzoate (13) showed the highest antifungal activity (2.5 yg). Olivetol (9) and 2,4-dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic acid (15) are also potent inhibitors of the growth of the fungus (5.0 microg). Except for methyl (10), the ethyl (11) and butyl (12) perlatolates were less active than perlatolic acid (1). The activities presented by methyl (2) and ethyl (3) 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-n-pentylbenzoates and methyl (13) and ethyl (14) 2,4-dihydroxy-6-n-pentylbenzo-ates suggest that compounds with a free hydroxy group in the aromatic ring (C-4) have a more pronounced effect against C. sphaerospermum. Antibacterial activities were tested by the disc diffusion method using pathogenic strains of S. aureus and E. coli. The compounds were weakly active with inhibition zones between 9-15 mm. The 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-n-pentylbenzoic esters 2-8 and alkyl perlatolates 10-12 were selective against E. coli. Perlatolic acid (1) and methyl 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-n-pentylbenzoate (2) were the most active with LD50 values of 24.1 microM and 27.2 microM, respectively. The other compounds were not toxic to Artemia salina larvae.     

A chromene and prenylated benzoic acid from Piper aduncum.

In addition to nerolidol, 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone, methyl 2,2-dimethyl-8-(3'-methyl-2'-butenyl)-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate, methyl 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate and methyl 8-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate, two new natural products were isolated from the leaves of Piper aduncum, 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid and 3-(3',7'-dimethyl-2',6'-octadienyl)-4-methoxybenzoic acid. The structures of the isolates were established based on analysis of spectroscopic data, including ES-MS. The DNA-damaging activity of the isolated compounds was also investigated against mutant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Synthesis and structure determination of some nonanomerically C-C-linked serine glycoconjugates structurally related to mannojirimycin

The Bucherer-Bergs reaction of methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-alpha-d-lyxo-hexofuranosid-5-ulose gave (4'S)-4'-carbamoyl-4'-[methyl (4R)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-l-erythrofuranosid-4-C-yl]-oxazolidin-2'-one instead of expected hydantoins. A mixture of hydantoins--(5'R)-triphenylmethoxymethyl-5'-[methyl (4R)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-l-erythrofuranosid-4-C-yl]-imidazolidin-2',4'-dione and (5'S)-triphenylmethoxymethyl-5'-[methyl (4R)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-l-erythrofuranosid-4-C-yl]-imidazolidin-2',4'-dione was obtained from the 5-ulose having protected primary OH group at C-6. The 4'-S configuration of 2 as well as 5'-S configuration of (5'S)-hydroxymethyl-5'-[methyl (4R)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-l-erythrofuranosid-4-C-yl]-imidazolidin-2',4'-dione (9) was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Corresponding alpha-amino acid--methyl (5S)-5-amino-5-C-carboxy-5-deoxy-alpha-d-lyxo-hexofuranoside (alternative name: 2-[methyl (4R)-beta-l-erythrofuranosid-4-C-yl]-l-serine) (11) was obtained from the hydantoin 9 by acid hydrolysis of the isopropylidene and trityl groups followed by basic hydrolysis of the hydantoin ring. Analogous derivatives with 5-R configuration, formed in a minority, were also isolated and characterised.