Short Asymmetric Synthesis of (+)-α-Curcumene and (+)-Xanthorrhizol

Potent nitric oxide inhibitory sesquiterpenoids from the rhizome of Curcuma aromatica Salisb

One new sesquiterpenoid, curcaromatin (1), together with twenty-one known compounds 2-22, were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (Zingiberaceae). Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR and HR-MS) analysis. Most of the isolated compounds were investigated for nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. (-)-Xanthorrhizol (3) displayed the strongest NO inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 4.3 μM, which was 3.7-fold more active than the reference compound, aminoguanidine (IC50 15.9 μM). The selectivity index (SI > 28.1) of compound 3 was almost 3-fold higher than that of aminoguanidine.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Erogorgiaene and the Pseudopterosin A-F Aglycone via Enantioselective Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydrovinylation

Due to their pronounced bioactivity and limited availability from natural resources, metabolites of the soft coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae, such as erogorgiaene and the pseudopterosines, represent important target molecules for chemical synthesis. We have now developed a particularly short and efficient route towards these marine diterpenes exploiting an operationally convenient enantioselective cobalt-catalyzed hydrovinylation as the chirogenic step. Other noteworthy C-C bond forming transformations include diastereoselective Lewis acid-mediated cyclizations, a Suzuki coupling and a carbonyl ene reaction. Starting from 4-methyl-styrene the anti-tubercular agent (+)-erogorgiaene (>98 % ee) was prepared in only 7 steps with 46 % overall yield. In addition, the synthesis of the pseudopterosin A aglycone was achieved in 12 steps with 30 % overall yield and, surprisingly, was found to exhibit a similar anti-inflammatory activity (inhibition of LPS-induced NF-κB activation) as a natural mixture of pseudopterosins A-D or iso-pseudopterosin A, prepared by β-D-xylosylation of the synthetic aglycone.

Bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids from Curcuma longa L. exert anti-influenza and anti-inflammatory activities through NF-κB/MAPK and RIG-1/STAT1/2 signaling pathways

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness that causes seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics. Disease severity may be contributed by influenza virus-induced cytokine dysregulation. The study was designed to investigate the isolation and identification of bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids from Curcuma longa L., their antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities against H1N1 and their potential role in regulating host immune response in vitro. A pair of new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids, (6S,7S)-3-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylbisabola-1,10-diene-9-one (18) together with seventeen known analogs (1-17), was isolated and elucidated from Curcuma longa L. Compounds 2, 11 and 14 could significantly inhibit A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) replication in MDCK cells, and compound 2 could significantly inhibit A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) replication in A549 cells. Compounds 4, 8, 9, 13 and 17 could markedly reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IP-10) production at the mRNA and protein levels in A549 cells. Compound 4 regulated the levels of steroid biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby inhibiting immune responses by proteomics analysis. Furthermore, compound 4 could inhibit the expression of p-NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65, IκBα, p-p38 MAPK, p-IκBα, RIG-1, STAT-1/2 and p-STAT-1/2 in the signaling pathways. These findings indicate that bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids of C. longa could inhibit the expression of inflammatory cytokines induced by the virus and regulate the activity of NF-κB/MAPK and RIG-1/STAT-1/2 signaling pathways in vitro.

Palladium-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Synthesis of 3-Arylbutanoic Acid Derivatives

The first palladium-catalyzed diastereoselective conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to chiral imides is reported. The catalytic system employing 4-tert-butyloxazolidin-2-one as the chiral auxiliary in a mixed solvent system of MeOH/H₂O (1:3) under an air atmosphere provides the optically active 3-arylbutanoic acid derivatives in excellent yields with high diastereoselectivity.

Asymmetric decarboxylative 1,4-addition of malonic acid half thioesters to vinyl sulfones: highly enantioselective synthesis of 3-monofluoromethyl-3-arylpropanoic esters

An asymmetric decarboxylative 1,4-addition of malonic acid half thioesters (MAHTs) to 2-aryl-substituted vinyl sulfones has been developed, yielding adducts with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). In view of tuning pKa values, a quinine-based benzyl-substituted thiourea was designed and demonstrated as the most efficient catalyst. The enantioselective synthesis of 3-monofluorinated analogues of 3-methyl indanone and (+)-turmerone has been accomplished from decarboxylative 1,4-addition adducts with satisfactory results.

Facile Total Synthesis of Xanthorrhizol

A facile total synthesis of the bisabolane sesquiterpene, xanthorrhizol (1), has been achieved in 6 steps, in 48% overall yield. The starting material was 3-methoxy-4-methyl-phenoacetone (7), and a Claisen-Johnson rearrangement was used as the key step to construct the skeleton of the target molecule.

Antimicrobial Activity and Constituents in Rumput Roman Extract as a Natural Food Preservative

Rumput roman extract is used as a natural food preservative. Its antimicrobial activity and constituents were investigated as part of an ongoing study to evaluate its quality and safety as a food additive. The constituents were analyzed by GC/MS, and 5 major constituents were isolated and identified as capillin, capillene, caryophyllene oxide, alpha-curcumene and methyleugenol using NMR analysis. The antimicrobial activities against E. coli, S. cerevisiae and A. niger were measured by means of the halo test. Based on the results, we confirmed that capillin was the major active constituent. The concentrations of capillin and capillene were determined to 17.9 mg/mL and 36.1 mg/mL, respectively, from standard curves of authentic compounds on HPLC.

Synthesis of (R)-Curcumene and (R)-Xanthorrizol Based on 1,2-Aryl Migration via Phenonium Ion

Solvolysis reaction of methyl (4S,5S)-4-(4'-methoxyphenyl)-5-tosyloxy-2(E)-hexenoate 5 in water-saturated MeNO(2) gave the 1,2-migration product, (4S,5S)-5-hydroxy-4-(4'-methoxyphenyl)-2-(E)-hexenoate 6 (55% yield), which was converted to methyl (R)-(4'-methylphenyl)hexanoate 11 in 25% overall yield (5 steps). Treatment of (R)-11 with MeLi gave tertiary alcohol congener 12, which was subjected to dehydration to afford (R)-(-)-curcumene 1. An introduction of hydroxyl group at meta-position of the aromatic ring in (R)-11 was achieved based on consecutive treatment [1) selective iodination, 2) conversion of aryl iodide to aryl boronate, 3) conversion of aryl boronate to phenol]. Thus obtained phenol (R)-16 was treated with MeLi to give tertiary alcohol congener 17, which was subjected to dehydration to afford (R)-(-)-xanthorrizol 2.

Chiral Benzyl Centers through Asymmetric Catalysis. A Three-Step Synthesis of (R)-(−)-α-Curcumene via Asymmetric Hydrovinylation

[reaction: see text] A three-step, two-pot procedure involving asymmetric hydrovinylation followed by Suzuki-Miyaura reaction represents by far the shortest synthesis of this popular bisabolane. Other applications for the synthesis of similar compounds with chiral benzyl centers can be easily envisioned.

Synthesis of a New Class of Conformationally Rigid Phosphino-oxazolines: Highly Enantioselective Ligands for Ir-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

[reaction: see text] A new class of conformationally rigid phosphino-oxazoline ligands were synthesized from readily available enantiopure phenyl glycinol. Ir complexes with these ligands are air-stable and highly enantioselective catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl alkenes and alpha,beta-unsaturated esters in up to 99% ee.

Stereospecific Pd(0)-Catalyzed Arylation of an Allylic Hydroxy Phosphonate Derivative: Formal Synthesis of (S)-(+)-ar-Turmerone

Reaction of the (1S)-allylic hydroxy phosphonate 1(S) with methyl chloroformate in pyridine yields the corresponding carbonate 3(S). The carbonate 3(S) undergoes a palladium-catalyzed arylation with p-tolyl tributylstannane to give both the 1E and 1Z vinyl phosphonates 6 (85:15). The E and Z vinyl phosphonates 6 were shown to have the opposite configuration at C-3. The major vinyl phosphonate isomer (3S,1E), was converted to (3S)-3-(p-tolyl)-butanal 8(S), completing a formal total synthesis of (S)-ar-turmerone 5a.

Pseudoephedrine as a chiral auxiliary for asymmetric Michael reactions: synthesis of 3-aryl-delta-lactones

[reaction: see text] The asymmetric Michael reaction of pseudoephedrine amides is reported. The 1,5-dicarbonyl products are converted to 3-aryl-delta-lactones in a two-step reduction/lactonization sequence. This method provides access to enantiomerically enriched trans-3,4-disubstituted delta-lactones.