Revision of the species of the Tychus rufus group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

The species belonging to Tychus rufus group are revised. Eleven species are recognized, described and illustrated and a key to their identification is provided. Nine taxa are new to science: Tychus carpathius n. sp. from Karpathos island (Greece); T. torticornis n. sp. from Lesbos Island (Greece); T. pisidicus n. sp. and T. inermis n. sp. from southwestern Turkey; T. antiocheus n. sp. and T. effeminatus n. sp. from southeastern Turkey; T. artvinensis n. sp. from northeastern Turkey, and T. sidonicus n. sp. and T. libanus n. sp. from Lebanon.     

喙果皂帽花根的化学成分研究

为了解喙果皂帽花(Dasymaschalon rostratum)根的化学成分,采用多种色谱技术从其根的乙醇提取物中分离得到8个化合物。通过波谱数据分析,分别鉴定为:花旗松素(1)、(+)-儿茶素(2)、毛蕊异黄酮(3)、(-)-丁香树脂酚(4)、(-)-皮树脂醇(5)、lirioresinol A(6)、N-反式肉桂酸酰对羟基苯乙胺(7)和羟基酪醇(8)。所有化合物均为首次从该植物中获得。化合物1~8均无明显抗菌活性。     

Conformational behaviours of 2-substituted cyclohexanones: a complete basis set,hybrid-DFT study and NBO interpretation

The generalised anomeric effect (GAE) and gauche effect (GE) associated with donor–acceptor delocalisations, dipole–dipole interactions and total steric exchange energies (TSEE) on the conformational properties of 2-methoxy- (1), 2-methylthio- (2), 2-methylseleno- (3), 2-fluoro- (4), 2-chloro- (5) and 2-bromocyclohexanone (6) have been studied by means of ab initio and hybrid density functional theory methods and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. All methods used showed that the axial conformation stability increased from 2-methoxy- (1) to 2-methylselenocyclohexanone (3) and also from 2-fluoro- (4) to 2-bromocyclohexanone (6), which is in agreement with reported NMR data. The results obtained by complete basis set 4 (CBS-4), B3LYP/6-311+G** and HF/6-311+G** levels for compounds 1, 5 and 6 are very similar, but the CBS-4 results for compound 4 are not in agreement with the reported experimental data (vapour phase). The NBO analysis showed that the GAE increases from compounds 1 to 3 and also from compounds 4 to 6. The low axial conformer populations of compounds 1 and 4 can be reasonably explained by their small GAE. GE does not have significant impact on the conformational behaviours of compounds 1–6 and GAE succeeds in accounting qualitatively for the increase in the axial preferences in both series of compounds. The results showed that the calculated Δ(TSEE_eq–ax) values decrease from compounds 4 to 6 which contradicts the suggested arguments in the literature about these compounds. On the other hand, the calculated differences between the dipole moment values of the axial and equatorial conformations, Δ(μ_eq ? μ_ax), increase from compounds 1 to 2, but decrease from compounds 2 to 3 and also decrease from compounds 4 to 6. The calculated GAE values are more significant for the explanation of the conformational preferences of compounds 1–6 than the dipole–dipole repulsion effects. The correlations between the GAE, GE, dipole–dipole interactions, Wiberg Bond Index, TSEE, donor and acceptor orbital energies and occupancies, structural parameters and conformational behaviour of compounds 1–6 have been investigated.     

苦槛蓝叶中的黄酮类化合物

为了解苦槛蓝(Myoporum bontioides A.Gray)的化学成分,采用色谱分离技术从苦槛蓝叶片中分离得到11个黄酮类化合物。通过波谱分析,他们的结构分别鉴定为:桔皮素(1)、甜橙素(2)、5,4′-二羟基-6,7,8,3′-四甲氧基黄酮(3)、4′,5,7,8-四甲氧基黄酮(4)、去甲基川陈皮素(5)、5-羟基-6,7,3′,4′-四甲氧基黄酮(6)、3′,4′,5,6,7,8-六甲氧基黄酮(7)、二氢山柰酚(8)、木犀草素(9)、3′,4′,5,7-四羟基-3-甲氧基黄酮(10)和芹黄素(11)。除化合物9之外,其他化合物均为首次从苦槛蓝叶片中分离得到。孢子萌发法测定结果表明,化合物1,2,8和9对香蕉炭疽菌(Colletotrichum musae)具有较好的抑菌活性。这为苦槛蓝叶片中有效成分的利用提供了理论依据。     

A Short High Yielding Synthesis of the Potent Anti-VZV Carbocyclic Nucleoside Analogue Carba-BVDU

Abstract

A short high yielding synthesis of the potent anti-varicella-zoster virus (VZV) carbocyclic nucleoside analogue carba-BVDU 1 starting from aminodiol 2 is described. Reaction of 2 with acyl carbamate 3 and subsequent ring closure under acidic conditions afforded 5-ethyl-2′-deoxy-4′a-carbauridine 5. In situ acetylation of 5 afforded 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-5-ethyl-2′-deoxy-4′a-carbauridine 6 in 78% overall yield from 2. Radical bromination of 6 with either bromine or NBS and subsequent treatment with triethylamine gave an efficient conversion to 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-5-(E)-(2-bromovinyl)-2′-deoxy-4′a-carbauridine 7. Deacetylation of 7 afforded 1 in an overall 45–53% yield from 2.     

Antimicrobial constituents of peel and seeds of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia)

Various antimicrobial constituents of camu-camu fruit were isolated. Acylphloroglucinol (compound 1) and rhodomyrtone (compound 2) were isolated from the peel of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) fruit, while two other acylphloroglucinols (compounds 3 and 4) were obtained from camu-camu seeds. The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by spectrophotometric methods. Compounds 1 and 4 were confirmed to be new acylphloroglucinols with different substituents at the C7 or C9 position of 2, and were named myrciarone A and B, respectively. Compound 3 was determined to be isomyrtucommulone B. This is the first report of the isolation of 3 from a natural resource. The antimicrobial activities of compounds 1, 3, and 4 were similar to those of 2, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations were either similar to or lower than that of kanamycin. These results suggest that the peel and seeds of camu-camu fruit could be utilized for therapeutic applications.     

Synthesis of the Fluoromethyl Derivatives of Carbocyclic Oxetanocin A

Abstract

Treatment of the 2,3-di-O-benzoate 1 with sodium boronhydride mainly afforded the 3-O-benzoate 2 accompanied with isomers 3a,b and fully deprotected product 4. Compound 2 was converted to 5, from which 8 was obtained. The 1-cyclobutanols 8 and 5 were successfully condensed with 6-chloropurine by Mitsunobu reaction to give 9 and 11, respectively. After partial deprotection, the cyclobutyl nucleosides 10 and 15 were subjected to fluorination using DAST to afford the fluoromethyl analogs 12 and 16 from which target compounds 14 and 17 were obtained in good yields, respectively.

     

Isolation and characterization of substituted 4-hydroxy-cyclohex-2-enones as metabolites of 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol and its methyl ether in ligninolytic cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The metabolism of quinones formed in the enzymatic oxidation of veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol) (Ia) and its methyl ether Ib in ligninolytic cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was studied. A metabolite of 2-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione (IIa, formed from Ia by oxidation) was isolated and identified as cis-4-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-3-methoxy-cyclohex-2-en-one (IVa), formally the reduced hydroquinone IIIa. The formation of IVa was also observed when both veratryl alcohol Ia or 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (IIIa), the hydroquinone of IIa, were used as substrates. Analogously, cis-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methoxymethyl-cyclohex-2-en-one (IVc) was isolated and identified as a metabolite from either 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl methyl ether (Ib) or from its oxidation product 5-methoxy-2-methoxymethyl-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione (IIb) as well as from the corresponding hydroquinone 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl methyl ether (IIIc). The physiological role of these unprecedented conversions is discussed. Correspondence to: H. E. Schoemaker     

Chemical Constituents of Cape Aloe and Their Synergistic Growth-Inhibiting Effect on Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells

The constituents of cape aloe were investigated after a preliminary screening of the growth-inhibiting effect on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) of several extracts of this plant. Ten compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) extract that showed the strongest activity, and their structures were elucidated as aloe-emodin (1), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2), p-hydroxyacetophenone (3), pyrocatechol (4), 10-oxooctadecanoic acid (5), 10-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid (6), methyl 10-hydroxyoctadecanoate (7), 7-hydroxy-2,5-dimethylchromone (8), furoaloesone (9), and 2-acetonyl-8-(2-furoylmethyl)-7-hydroxy-5-methylchromone (10) based on MS and various NMR spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 2–7 were isolated for the first time from cape aloe. Compounds 4–7 and 10 showed a significant growth-inhibiting effect, and compound 1 exhibited a remarkable synergistic effect on compounds 8–10, which was not observed with the treatment by each compound alone on EATC. These results suggest that the strong growth-inhibiting effect of the CH₂Cl₂ extract was dependent not on one compound alone, but on the synergistic effect from the combination of compound 1 and the other compounds.     

Complete basis set,hybrid-DFT study and NBO interpretation of conformational analysis of 2-methoxytetrahydropyran and its thiopyran and selenopyran analogues in relation to the anomeric effect

2-Methoxytetrahydropyran (1), -thiopyran (2) and -selenopyran (3) have been chosen as model compounds to investigate the origin of the anomeric effect (AE). The impacts of the hyperconjugation, electrostatic and steric interactions on the conformational preferences of compounds 1–3 have been analysed by means of complete basis set-4, hybrid-density functional theory (B3LYP/6-311+G**) based methods and natural bond orbital (NBO) interpretation. Both levels of theory showed that the axial conformations of compounds 1–3 are more stable than their equatorial conformations. The Gibbs free energy difference (G _eq–G _ax) values (i.e. ΔG _eq–ax) between the axial and equatorial conformations increase from compound 1 to compound 2 but decrease from compound 2 to compound 3. Based on the NBO results obtained, the AE associated with the electron delocalisation [i.e. Σ(endo-AE_eq + exo-AE_eq) ? Σ(endo-AE_ax + exo-AE_ax)] increase slightly from compound 1 to compound 2 but decrease from compound 2 to compound 3. Similar trend is also observed for the differences between the calculated total steric exchange energy values [i.e. Δ(TSEE)_eq–ax]. On the other hand, the calculated differences between the dipole moment values of the axial and equatorial conformations [i.e. Δ(μ_eq–μ_ax)] decrease from compound 1 to compound 3. These findings led to the proposal that the AE associated with the electron delocalisation (the hyperconjugation effect) is more significant for the explanation of the conformational preferences of compounds 1–3 than the electrostatic model. The correlations between the AE associated with the electron delocalisation, bond orders, TSEE, ΔG _eq–ax, dipole–dipole interactions, structural parameters and conformational behaviours of compounds 1–3 have been investigated.     

New species of Ericaceae (Vaccinieae) from the Andes of Bolivia and Peru

Eight new Ericaceae (Vaccinieae) from Bolivia and Peru are described, illustrated, and discussed: Orthaea madidiensis, Themistoclesia geniculata, Themistoclesia idiocalyx, Themistoclesia siranensis, Themistoclesia tunquiniensis, Themistoclesia woytkowskii, Thibaudia acacioides, and Thibaudia yungensis.     

Isolation of Antibabesial Compounds from Brucea javanica,Curcuma xanthorrhiza,and Excoecaria cochinchinensis

One new curcuminoid, 3′-demethoxycyclocurcumin (1), was isolated from Curcuma xanthorrhiza as an antibabesial compound, together with p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2) and cleomiscosin A (3) from Brucea javanica and (+)-epiloliolide (4) from Excoecaria cochinchinensis. The antibabesial activities were examined in vitro, and compounds 1–4, and diminazene aceturate were studied with IC₅₀ values of 16.6, 7.6, 15.6, 10.0, and 0.6 μg/ml, respectively.     

Synthesis of trans-4-Amino-1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-butene from Isoprene

A novel synthetic pathway to trans-4-amino-1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-butene (7), a useful synthetic intermediate of zeatin, is presented here. On selective monophthalimide formation, the trans-1, 4-dibromo-2-methyl-2-butene (10) prepared from isoprene (1) predominantly gives trans-1-bromo-2-methyl-4-phthalimido-2-butene (11). The compound (11) is converted to 7 via trans-1-acetoxy-2-methyl-4-phthalimido-2-butene (6). The overall yield of 7 from 1 is 33.6%. Base-catalyzed hydrolysis of 11 also gives 7 directly. Zeatin can be prepared by the condensation of 7 with 6-chloropurine.     

Structures of Novel Sesquiterpene Alcohols from Chloranthus japonicus (Chloranthaceae)

Three novel sesquiterpene alcohols, shizuka-acoradienol (2), shizukafuranol (3) and shizukol-idol (4), were isolated from Chloranthus japonicus Sieb. (Japanese name: Hitori-shizuka, Chloranthaceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their physicochemical properties and some chemical reactions. Furanodienone (5), scopoletin (6a) and isoscopoletin (6b) were also isolated from this plant.     

Studies on the Later Stage of the Biosynthesis of Pleuromutilin

Mutilin (4) and deoxy analogues 2 and 3 are biosynthetic precursors of pleuromutilin (1) in the later stage of biosynthesis. Precursors 2 and 3 are required for studies on the oxygenation steps in biosynthesis, and were synthesized from readily available 1 via 4 by deoxygenation of the hydroxy groups. Feeding experiments with the ²H-labeled precursors confirmed their microbial conversion into 1.     

油榄仁果实化学成分的研究

为了解油榄仁(Terminalia bellirica Roxb.)的化学成分,从油榄仁果实的乙酸乙酯提取物中分离得到11个化合物,通过波谱分析,分别鉴定为:表松脂酚(1)、(–)-芝麻素(2)、麻醉椒苦素(3)、二氢醉椒素(4)、异香兰素(5)、3,4-二羟基苯甲酸(6)、没食子酸(7)、没食子酸甲酯(8)、没食子酸乙酯(9)、3,4,8,9,10-五羟基二苯骈[b,d]吡喃-6-酮(10)、polystachyol(11),其中化合物1~6、10和11为首次从油榄仁果实中分离得到。     

海南产木薯茎化学成分研究

从木薯(Manihot esculenta Crantz)茎的乙醇提取物中分离得到6个化合物,通过波谱分析,分别鉴定为呋喃(1)、肥牛木素(2)、3-吲哚甲酸(3)、3,9,13-megastigmanetriol (4)、穗花杉双黄酮(5)、yucalexin P-21 (6),其中化合物1~5为首次从该植物中分离得到。用滤纸片琼脂扩散法测定了这些化合物的抗菌活性,结果表明化合物1、3、4和6对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)和金黄色葡萄球菌均有抑制作用。     

Gas Chromatographic Determination of Optical Isomers of α-Phenylethylamine and α-Phenyl-β-(p-tolyl)-ethylamine on Optically Active Stationary Phases

The nondialyzable melanoidins prepared from glucose-butylamine (I) and xylose–butylamine (II) reaction systems, freeze-dried powder obtained from the dialyzable fraction of the glucose–butylamine reaction system (III) and N-butyl-glucosylamine (IV) were pyrolyzed at 350°C for 0.5-2 hr and the volatile pyrolysate was investigated. To trap the volatile compounds, Tenax GC trapping and cold trapping methods were used. Identification of these volatiles was made by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, using a glass capillary column. The volatile components in the pyrolysates of I, II, III and IV were qualitatively similar to each other. The major volatile components in the pyrolysates of I, II, III and IV were identified as two furans, 1-butanol, two 1-butylpyrroles, 1-butylpyrrolidine, 1-butylaziridine and two N-butylamides. The results are discussed in relation to those obtained from previously investigated sugar-amino acid melanoidins.     

Total Synthesis of the Thymidine Analogue of Sinefungin

Abstract

The carbon skeleton of “Sinethymidin” 4 was constructed by two radical coupling reaction. The first step was a coupling of the radical derived from 2 and the unsaturated amide 5. The olefin 6 thus obtained was added to the radical derived from the known N-hydroxy-2-thiopyridinone aspartic ester. “Sinethymidin”, tested for its antileismanial effect, was devoid of activity.     

Descriptions of new Neotropical Lycoperdininae (Coleoptera: Endomychidae) and their phylogenetic placement

Two new genera and three new species of Lycoperdininae (Coleoptera: Endomychidae) from South America, are described and illustrated based on adults: Hylaperdina n. g., along with H. brevicornis n. sp. from Ecuador and H. costariciensis n. sp. from Costa Rica, and Chileanus n. g., along with C. talca n. sp. from Chile. Their most likely placement within the Lycoperdininae is discussed. A key to genera of the neotropical Lycoperdininae is provided.