Absolute Configuration of the Fungal Metabolite Spirolaxine

Nervione, a new benzofuran derivative from Nervilia concolor

A new benzofuran derivative, nervione (1), was isolated from Nervilia concolor (Blume) Schltr. (Orchidaceae). Eight previously reported compounds were also isolated: 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (2), 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone (3), 7-methoxyflavone (4), 3,7-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyflavone (5), tetramethylscutellarein (4',5,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone) (6), 5,7-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyflavone (7), rhamnetin (8), and 5,7-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyflavone (9). The structures were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS spectroscopy in addition to the literature. The relative configuration of 1 was defined using DP4+ probability while its absolute configuration was defined by comparison of the ECD spectrum of 1 with those of previously reported compounds. All isolated compounds were evaluated for alpha-glucosidase inhibition, revealing weak or no activity.

Three new resorcylic acid derivatives from Sporotrichum laxum

Sporotrichum laxum ATCC 15155 is the producing strain of the potent anti-Helicobacter pylori natural product spirolaxine (1). Investigation of the secondary metabolites in this fungus led to the isolation of five phthalides (1, 2, 3, 6 and 9) and five resorcylic acid derivatives (4, 5, 7, 8 and 10), among which 5, 7 and 8 are new compounds. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configurations of 7 and 8 were determined by Mosher's method. Addition of soy flour into the potato dextrose agar has led to the increased production of 4-10. A biosynthetic pathway consisting of a highly reducing polyketide synthase (PKS), a nonreducing PKS and a series of tailoring enzymes was proposed to produce these fungal natural products. The resorcylic acid derivatives are proposed to result from early hydrolysis of the polyketide chain or incorporation of a longer fatty acyl starter unit.

Antifungal metabolites from the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis foedan

Pestafolide A ( 1), a new reduced spiro azaphilone derivative, and pestaphthalides A ( 2) and B ( 3), two new isobenzofuranones, have been isolated form solid cultures of an isolate of Pestalotiopsis foedan. The structures of these compounds were determined mainly by analysis of their NMR spectroscopic data. The relative configuration of 1- 3 was assigned by analysis of (1)H NMR J-values and NOESY data, and the absolute configuration was determined by application of the CD excitation chirality and modified Mosher method. Compounds 1- 3 showed modest antifungal activity.

A Cyclopropanol-Based Strategy for Subunit Coupling: Total Synthesis of (+)-Spirolaxine Methyl Ether

A strategy for ketone synthesis with cyclopropanols as intermediates and its application to (+)-spirolaxine methyl ether is described. The synthesis also features an application of Fu's alkyl-alkyl Suzuki coupling.

Synthesis and assignment of the absolute configuration of the anti-Helicobacter pylori agents CJ-12,954 and CJ-13,014

The synthesis of the spiroacetal-containing anti-Helicobacter pylori agents (3S,2''S,5''S,7''S)- (ent-CJ-12,954) and (3S,2''S,5''R,7''S)- (ent-CJ-13,014) has been carried out based on the convergent union of a 1:1 mixture of heterocycle-activated spiroacetal sulfones and with (3S)-phthalide aldehyde . The synthesis of the (3R)-diastereomers (3R,2''S,5''S,7''S)- and (3R,2''S,5''R,7''S)- was also undertaken in a similar manner by union of (3R)-phthalide aldehyde with a 1:1 mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and . Comparison of the (1)H and (13)C NMR data, optical rotations and HPLC retention times of the synthetic compounds (3S,2''S,5''S,7''S)- and (3S,2''S,5''R,7''S)- and the (3R)-diastereomers (3R,2''S,5''S,7''S)- and (3R,2''S,5''R,7''S)-, with the naturally occurring compounds, established that the synthetic isomers and were in fact enantiomeric to the natural products CJ-12,954 and CJ-13,014. The (2S,8S)-stereochemistry in protected dihydroxyketone , the precursor to the mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and was established via union of readily available (S)-acetylene with aldehyde in which the (4S)-stereochemistry was established via asymmetric allylation. Deprotection and cyclization of protected dihydroxyketone afforded an inseparable 1:1 mixture of spiroacetal alcohols and that were converted into a 1:1 inseparable mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and . Phthalide-aldehyde was prepared via intramolecular acylation of bromocarbamate in which the (3S)-stereochemistry was established via asymmetric CBS reduction of ketone .