Synthesis of allyl O-[sodium(alpha-D-glycero-D-talo-2- octulopyranosyl)onate]-(2-->6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosi de, a core constituent of the lipopolysaccharide from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus NCTC 10305

Reaction of methyl 2,6-anhydro-2,3-dideoxy-D-manno-2-octenoate 1 with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid gave the 2,3-anhydro derivative 2, which was converted into the per-O-acetylated anomeric methyl glycosides of D-glycero-D-galacto-2-octulopyranosylonic acid in good yield. Subsequent inversion of the configuration at C-3 and deprotection afforded sodium (methyl beta-D-glycero-D-talo-2-octulopyranosid)onate. Alternatively, 2 was transformed into methyl (alpha-D-glycero-D-talo-2- octulopyranosyl bromide(onate derivatives. Reaction with methanol or allyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- 3,4-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxan-1,3-diyl)-beta-D-g lycopyranoside, promoted by silver triflate, gave good yields of the corresponding orthoester derivatives. Me3Si triflate-catalyzed orthoester rearrangement and removal of the protecting groups afforded sodium O-(methyl alpha-D-glycero- D-talo-2-octulopyranosid)onate and the disacchanide, allyl O-[sodium(alpha-D-glycero-D-talo-2- octulopyranosyl)onate]-(2-->6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-gl ucopyranoside in high yield.     

NMR identification of an acyl-adenylate intermediate in the aryl-aldehyde oxidoreductase catalyzed reaction

A new one-pot synthesis was designed to prepare benzoyl-AMP under anhydrous conditions in N,N-dimethylformamide. Reaction of benzoic acid with N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole and subsequently with 5'-adenosyl monophosphate gave the mixed anhydride in 76% isolated yield. The structure of benzoyl-AMP was confirmed by mass spectroscopy and 1H-, 31P-, and 13C-NMR. The purity of the preparation was greater than 98% as indicated by 31P- and 13C-NMR. Purified aryl-aldehyde oxidoreductase was incubated in NMR tubes together with either carboxy-13C-benzoyl-AMP or carboxy-13C-benzoic acid to demonstrate that benzoyl-AMP is an active intermediate during the enzymatic reduction of benzoic acid to benzaldehyde.     

Studies on alpha-sialylation using sialyl donors with an auxiliary 3-thiophenyl group

Reaction of the methyl ester of 2-chloro-3-S-phenyl-3-thiosialic acid (4) with sodium thiomethoxide in acetonitrile at 0 degrees C affords the methyl ester of 2-S-methyl-3-S-phenyl-2,3-di-thio-alpha-sialic acid (6a) in quantitative yield. Sialylation of tetrahydropyran-2-methanol (7) and 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,2'3,6,6'-penta-O-benzyl-alpha-lactoside (8) with 6a in the presence of phenylsulfenyl triflate (PST) as promotor in CH3 CN at -40 degrees C gives alpha-sialosides 9 and 10 in good yield and excellent stereoselectivity. No beta-sialosides are formed in either case. Acetylation of product 10, and the subsequent reductive removal of the 3-thiophenyl group using Ph3SnH, affords 12--protected GM3 trisaccharide--in 82% yield after two steps. Sialylation of acceptor 8 with chloride 4 using silver triflate as promotor afforded 10 in 48% yield after two days at -15 degrees C in THF. A possible mechanism of sialylation with 6a that involves intermediate alpha- and beta-nitrilium ions is discussed.     

An economic synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-5-thio-D-xylopyranose and its transformation into 4-substituted-phenyl 1,5-dithio-D- xylopyranosides possessing antithrombotic activity

D-Xylose was converted via 1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-xylofuranose (4) into 3-O-benzoyl-5-S-benzoyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-xylofuranose which, after methanolysis, acetylation and subsequent acetolysis afforded 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-5-thio-alpha-D-xylopyranose (14) in an overall yield of 36%. Reaction of 4 with thionyl chloride gave a mixture of the diastereomeric cyclic sulfites, the structures of which were established by X-ray crystallography. Their oxidation with sodium periodate afforded the corresponding cyclic sulfate 23. Treatment of 23 with potassium thioacetate gave the potassium salt of 5-S-acetyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-xylofuranose 3-O-sulfonic acid (26) which, after methanolysis, acetylation and subsequent acetolysis afforded 14 in an overall yield of 56%. Treatment of 4 with sulfuryl chloride gave a mixture containing 5-chloro-3-O-chlorosulfonyl-5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D- xylofuranose, 3,7,9,11-tetraoxa-4-thia-10-dimethyl-tricyclo[6,3,0, 0(2,6)]undecane S-dioxide and 23 in a 2:3:7 ratio. Tetraacetate 14 was converted into the alpha-1-bromide 18 as well as into the alpha-1-O-trichloroacetimidate 17. These three compounds were used as donors for the glycosylation with 4-cyanothiophenol, affording the 4-cyanophenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1,5-dithio-alpha- (29) and beta-D-xylopyranoside (30) in different ratios, depending on the reaction conditions. When donor 18 was used in the presence of potassium carbonate, besides 29 and 30 two aryl C-glycosylated-thioglycosides, i.e. 4-cyano-2-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-thio-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)phenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1,5-dithio-alpha- and beta-D-xylopyranoside (32 and 33) as well as 4-cyano-2-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-thio-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)phenyl disulfide 34 could be isolated as byproducts. Deacetylation of 30 with sodium methoxide in methanol afforded, besides 4-cyano-phenyl 1,5-dithio-beta-D-xylopyranoside (1), the corresponding 4-[(methoxy)(imino)methyl]phenyl glycoside 2. The 4-cyano group of 1 was converted into the 4-aminothiocarbonyl, the 4-(methyl-thio)(imino)methyl, the 4-amidino and the 4-(imino)(hydrazino)methyl group. All of these glycosides showed a significant antithrombotic activity on rats.     

Modifications of a macrolide antibiotic midecamycin. II. Reaction of midecamycin and 9-acetylmidecamycin with dimethylsulfoxide and acetic anhydride

Treatment of 9,2'-diacetylmidecamycin (2) with DMSO and acetic anhydride afforded 3'-methylthiomethyl derivative (3) preferably in the presence of pyridine. Reaction of midecamycin (1) with DMSO and acetic anhydride gave 2'-acetyl-9-dehydro-3'-methylthiomethyl derivative (9) indicating that the three hydroxyl groups reacted in a different way to the reagent. When compound 2 was reacted with DMSO and acetic anhydride in the presence of CCl4, 3'-acetoxymethyl derivative (13) was a major product, which was formed via 3 through the Pummerer rearrangement. The structures of 3, 9 and 13 were confirmed by examining NMR and mass spectra of these compounds and their deuterio analogue. They showed antimicrobial spectra similar to 1 but superior in vivo activity.     

Facile method for the preparation of 7-methyl-8-oxoguanosines as an immunomodulator

Reaction of 9-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-7-methylguaninium iodide (2a) with hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid gave the corresponding 7-methyl-8-oxoguanosine derivative (3a) in good yield. Deprotection of 3a easily gave 7-methyl-8-oxoguanosine (1), which is well-known as an immunomodulator. Substitution of acetyl group at the N2-position of guanine ring accelerated the oxidation reaction of the 7-methylguaninium iodide.     

Behaviour of hexahydrobenzodipyrazolones towards chloroacetylation, aminoalkylation, Grignard reagent and their antimicrobial activity

Treatment of 2,3a,4,6,7a,8-hexahydrobenzo [1,2-c; 4,5-c] dipyrazole-3,7-dione (1) with chloroacetyl chloride gave the 2,6-bis (chloroacetyl) derivative (2), which on treatment with acetic anhydride pyridine afforded (3). Compound (2) when heated with pyridine afforded (1). Compound (1) underwent Mannich reaction with piperidine or morpholine and formaldehyde to give the 2,6-bis (piperidino or morpholinomethyl) derivatives (4a,b). Hydroxymethylation of (1) with formaldehyde gave the 2,6-bis (hydroxylmethyl) derivative (4), which on heating with piperidine afforded (4a), Reaction of 2,3a,4,6,7a,8-hexahydro- 2,6-bis (phenylsulphonyl) benzo [1,2-c; 4,5-?] dipyrazole-3,7-dione (7) with phenylmagnesium bromide gave dodecahydro-3,3,4a,7,7,8a-hexaphenyl-2,6- bis (phenylsulphonyl) benzo [1,2-c; 4,5-?] dipyrazole (8). Derivatives of hexahydrobenzodipyrazolone (9a-g) have been subjected to general screening for their antimicrobial activity.     

Snapshot of a phosphorylated substrate intermediate by kinetic crystallography

The ATP-dependent enzyme dethiobiotin synthetase from Escherichia coli catalyses the formation of dethiobiotin from CO2 and 7, 8-diaminopelargonic acid. The reaction is initiated by the formation of a carbamate and proceeds through a phosphorylated intermediate, a mixed carbamic phosphoric anhydride. Here, we report the crystal structures at 1.9- and 1.6-A resolution, respectively, of the enzyme-MgATP-diaminopelargonic acid and enzyme-MgADP-carbamic-phosphoric acid anhydride complexes, observed by using kinetic crystallography. Reaction initiation by addition of either NaHCO3 or diaminopelargonic acid to crystals already containing cosubstrates resulted in the accumulation of the phosphorylated intermediate at the active site. The phosphoryl transfer step shows inversion of the configuration at the phosphorus atom, consistent with an in-line attack by the carbamate oxygen onto the phosphorus atom of ATP. A key feature in the structure of the complex of the enzyme with the reaction intermediate is two magnesium ions, bridging the phosphates at the cleavage site. These magnesium ions compensate the negative charges at both phosphate groups after phosphoryl transfer and contribute to the stabilization of the reaction intermediate.     

Synthesis and characterization by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of 17 alpha-cyano, 17 alpha-aminomethyl, and 17 alpha-alkylamidomethyl derivatives of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and testosterone

17 alpha-Aminomethyl, 17 alpha-acetamidomethyl, and 17 alpha-hemiglutaramidomethyl derivatives of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone have been prepared by hydrocyanation of 3,3'-(ethylenedioxy)-5 alpha-androstan-17-one and 3,3'-ethylenedioxyandrost-5-en-17-one, reduction of the corresponding acetylated 17 alpha-cyanohydrins with lithium aluminium hydride, and acylation of the resulting 17 alpha-aminomethyl derivatives with either acetic anhydride or the mono acid chloride of glutaric acid mono methyl ester. Saponification of the 17 alpha-hemiglutaramidomethyl methyl esters gave the corresponding hemiglutaramido derivatives, while acid hydrolysis of the 3-ethylene ketal group of 17 alpha-acetamidomethyl and 17 alpha-hemiglutaramidomethyl derivatives regenerated the 3-oxo and 3-oxo-4-ene functions. The 17 alpha-configuration of 17-substituted steroids was determined by 1H and 13C NMR and confirmed by comparing with NMR data for 17 alpha- and 17 beta-cyano-17-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one, 17 beta-cyano-3,3'-(ethylenedioxy)androst-5-en-17-ol, 17 alpha-alkynyl, and 17 alpha-hexanoic derivatives of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone, of known 17-configurations. Several ambiguous assignments of 13C NMR signals of 17 alpha-substituted steroids and unsubstituted 17 beta-hydroxy or 17-oxo precursors have been resolved using steroid analogs deuterated at positions C5-7, or C16 for androstane derivatives, and at positions C6-7, or C7 for androstene derivatives. 17 alpha-Aminomethyl and 17 alpha-alkylamidomethyl derivatives of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone are useful intermediates for the access to potential ligands of androgen-binding proteins necessary for affinity chromatography purification or affinity-labeling experiments.     

Selective histochemical localization of polysaccharides in tissue sections oxidized by acetic anhydride in dimethyl sulfoxide

Oxidation of tissue sections by 25-30% (v/v) acetic anhydride (AA) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) resulted in facile induction of tissue carbonyls readily localized with Schiff's reagent and o-dianisidine but not with the 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide-tetraazotized diorthoanisidine method. Carbonyls generated by AA-DMSO oxidation were confined predomintly to substrates containing pyranosides. Oxidized furanosides, as represented by deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid, gave only a residual color reaction. The AA-DMSO method possesses an advantage in that the oxidation of tissue polysaccharides does not proceed beyond the formation of carbonyly and is particularly suited for use after formol fixation.     

Studies on the relative biopotencies and intestinal absorption of different apo-beta-carotenoids in rats and chickens

1. The biopotencies relative to beta-carotene of several apocarotenoids, such as 8'-, 10'- and 12'-apo-beta-carotenal and methyl 8'-apo-beta-carotenoate, were investigated in rats, on a molar basis, by both curative-growth assay and liver-storage tests. 2. In the curative-growth assays, on a molar basis the biopotencies of 8'-, 10'- and 12'-apo-beta-carotenal and methyl 8'-apo-beta-carotenoate were 72, 78, 72 and 53% respectively, whereas on a weight basis the corresponding values were 93, 111, 111 and 63%, with respect to beta-carotene taken as 100%. In terms of yield of vitamin A, these values were much lower in the liver-storage tests. 3. When 8'-apo-beta-carotenal was fed, the unchanged aldehyde together with small amounts of the corresponding alcohol and larger proportions of the acid rapidly appeared in the tissues of both rats and chickens. The 8'-apocarotenol, 8'-apocarotenoic acid and its methyl ester were absorbed unchanged. The free acid disappeared most rapidly from the tissues, but its methyl ester persisted in the tissues longest. 4. On the basis of these observations it is suggested that most of an apocarotenal is oxidized to the corresponding acid, which, in turn, is mostly degraded to retinoic acid, with small proportions of it being attacked by the dioxygenase system giving retinal.     

Stereochemistry of the in vitro and in vivo methylation of DNA by (R)- and (S)-N-[2H1,3H]methyl-N-nitrosourea and (R)- and (S)-N-nitroso-N-[2H1,3H]methyl-N-methylamine

Reaction of DNA with the carcinogens N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and N-nitroso-N,N-dimethylamine produces several methylated species including the premutagenic O6-methylguanine. The mechanism of methylation is believed to be through a methanediazonium ion. We have studied the mechanism of methylation of DNA by these carcinogens by analyzing the stereochemistry of the methyl transfer. DNA was methylated in vitro by (R)- and (S)-N-[2H1,3H]methyl-N-nitrosourea and in vivo by (R)- and (S)-N-[2H1,3H]methyl-N-methyl-N-nitrosamine and (R)- and (S)-N-[2H1,3H]methyl-N-nitrosourea. 7-Methylguanine, 3-methyladenine, O6-methylguanine, and the methylated phosphate backbone were isolated. The methyl groups were converted into acetic acid, and the stereochemistry was analyzed. The identity of the nucleophile did not influence the stereochemistry of the methylation reaction. It was found that the methyl group was transferred with an average of 73% inversion and 27% retention of configuration. The most likely mechanism for the retention of configuration is through multiple methylation events in which nucleophiles which initially react with the methanediazonium ion react as electrophiles with DNA.     

Synthesis, structure and catalytic behavior of ytterbium complexes bearing a phenoxy（quinolinyl）amide ligand

Two ytterbium complexes stabilized by phenoxy(quinolinyl)amide ligand 3,5-Bu t 2 -2-OC 6 H 2 CH 2 N-8-C 9 H 6 N (L) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of anhydrous YbCl 3 with 1 equiv. of LLi 2 in THF gave the ytterbium chloride [LYbCl(THF)] 2 (1) in 73% yield. A further reaction of complex 1 with equimolar of NaN(SiMe 3 ) 2 in THF afforded the unexpected heterobimetallic "ate"-complex L 2 YbNa(THF) 2 (2) via a ligand redistribution reaction. Complex 2 could also be prepared in high isolated yield by the reaction of anhydrous YbCl 3 with 2 equiv. of LNa 2 generated in situ. Both complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It was found that complex 2 was an effective catalyst for the addition reaction of aromatic amines to carbodiimides.     

Synthesis and intestinal metabolism of ursodeoxycholic acid conjugate with an antiinflammatory agent, 5-aminosalicylic acid

5-Aminosalicylic acid conjugate of ursodeoxycholic acid was synthesized in above 90% yield by adding a basic solution of 5-aminosalicylic acid into the mixed anhydride formed with ursodeoxycholic acid and ethyl chloroformate. The 5-aminosalicylic acid conjugate of ursodeoxycholic acid was poorly secreted into the bile and was deconjugated with cholylglycine hydrolase and Clostridium perfringens, that deconjugate naturally occurring glycine and taurine conjugates of bile acids. However, ursodeoxycholic acid 5-aminosalicylic acid conjugate was not absorbed from the duodenum but was concentrated in the colon where it was partially hydrolyzed by the intestinal bacteria to ursodeoxycholic acid and 5-aminosalicylic acid. We believe that this unique conjugation of ursodeoxycholic acid with 5-aminosalicylic acid may facilitate the transport of both 5-aminosalicylic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid to the colon and may be useful for the treatment of colonic inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.     

Usefulness of aspiration surgery for elderly patients with hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage

Synthesis of 1-[11C]methylpiperidin-4-yl propionate ([11C]PMP), an in vivo substrate for acetylcholinesterase, is reported. An improved preparation of 4-piperidinyl propionate (PHP), the immediate precursor for radiolabeling, was accomplished in three steps from 4-hydroxypiperidine by (a) protection of the amine as the benzyl carbamate, (b) acylation with propionyl chloride, and (c) deprotection of the carbamate by catalytic hydrogenation. The final product was obtained in an overall 82% yield. Reaction of the free base form of PHP with [11C]methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate at room temperature in N,N-dimethylformamide, followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification, provided [11C]PMP in 57% radiochemical yield, > 99% radiochemical purity, and > 1500 Ci/mmol at the end of synthesis. The total synthesis time from end-of-bombardment was 35 min. [11C]PMP can thus be reliably prepared for routine clinical studies of acetylcholinesterase in human brain using positron emission tomography.     

Synthesis and biological activity of 3- and 5-amino derivatives of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

A series of 3- and 5-alkylamino derivatives, as well as other structurally modified analogues of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, have been synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of CDP reductase activity and for their cytotoxicity in vitro and antineoplastic activity in vivo against the L1210 leukemia. Alkylation of 3- and 5-amino-2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)pyridines (1, 2) resulted in corresponding 3-methylamino, 5-methylamino, 3-allylamino, 5-ethylamino, 5-allylamino, 5-propylamino, and 5-butylamino derivatives (5, 6, and 11-15), which were then condensed with thiosemicarbazide to yield the respective thiosemicarbazones (7, 8, and 16-20). Oxidation of 3,5-dinitro-2-methylpyridine (21) with selenium dioxide, followed by treatment with ethylene glycol and p-toluenesulfonic acid, produced the cyclic ethylene acetal, 23. Oxidation of 2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)-4-methyl-5-nitropyridine (26) with selenium dioxide, followed by sequential treatment with sodium borohydride, methanesulfonyl chloride, and morpholine afforded the morpholinomethyl derivative 30. Catalytic hydrogenation of 23 and 30 with Pd/C yielded the corresponding amino derivatives 24 and 31. Catalytic hydrogenation of 5-cyano-2-methylpyridine (33) with Raney nickel, followed by treatment with acetic anhydride, gave the amide derivative 35. N-Oxidation of 35, followed by rearrangement with acetic anhydride, produced the acetate derivative, 5-[(acetylamino)methyl]-2-(acetoxymethyl)pyridine (37). Repetition of the N-oxidation and rearrangement procedures with compound 37 yielded the diacetate derivative 39. Condensation of compounds 24, 31, and 39 with thiosemicarbazide afforded the respective 3,5-diaminopyridine-, 4-(4-morpholinylmethyl)-5-aminopyridine-, and 5-(aminomethyl)pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones (25, 32, and 40). The most biologically active compounds synthesized were the 5-(methylamino)-, 5-(ethylamino)-, and 5-(allylamino)pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones (8, 17, and 18), which were potent inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase activity with corresponding IC50 values of 1.3, 1.0, and 1.4 microM and which produced significant prolongation of the survival time of L1210 leukemia-bearing mice, with corresponding optimum % T/C values of 223, 204, and 215 being obtained when administered twice daily for six consecutive days at dosages of 60, 80, and 80 mg/kg, respectively.     

Improved strategies for postoligomerization synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides bearing structurally defined adducts at the N2 position of deoxyguanosine

Improved methodology has been developed for preparation of oligodeoxynucleotides bearing adducts on the N2 position of guanine in which the adduction reaction is carried out in homogeneous solution rather than while the oligonucleotide is immobilized on a solid matrix. The methodology utilizes a new synthon, 2-fluoro-O6-(trimethylsilylethyl)-2'-deoxyinosine (3). Nucleoside 3 is stable to the conditions of oligonucleotide synthesis, but the O6 protection is eliminated under very mild conditions following displacement of the 2-fluoro group by amine nucleophiles. Oligonucleotides containing 3 could be removed from the solid support by treatment with 0.1 M NaOH (8 h, rt) without disruption of 3. Reaction of the crude, partially deprotected oligonucleotide with (R)-2-amino-2-phenylethanol in homogeneous solution, followed by removal of the remaining protective groups with NH4OH (60 degrees C, 8 h) and then 0.1% acetic acid, gave the adducted oligonucleotide in good purity and yield. Alternatively, fully deprotected oligonucleotide containing 3 could be prepared by use of labile phenoxyacetyl-type protecting groups on the exocyclic amino groups.     

Synthesis of acyclo C-nucleosides of phenanthro[9,10-e][1,2, 4]triazino[3,4-c]-[1,2,4]triazoles, and their precursors

Reaction of 3-hydrazinophenanthro [9, 10-e] [1, 2, 4] triazine (1) with aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes as well as monosaccharides gave the corresponding hydrazones 2a-g. The D-glucose analogue exists in the cyclic pyranosyl structure 5. Acetylation and partial acetylation of the sugar hydrazones were carried out. Cyclization of a number of hydrazones including the partially acetylated sugar hydrazones by thionyl chloride gave regioselectively the respective angular isomer 1-substituted phenanthro [9, 10-e] [1, 2, 4] triazino [3, 4- and not the linear isomer. The cyclization of 1 with acetic acid, however, gave regioselectively the linear isomer 19. The structural assignments were based on a model study whereby the angular 16a was found to be different from the linear isomer 19a obtained by the condensation of 4, 5-diamino-3-methyl-1, 2, 4-triazole with 9, 10-phenanthraquinone. Periodate oxidation of 2d gave 20 whose reaction with 1 gave 21.     

Identification and total synthesis of novel fatty acids from the Caribbean sponge Calyx podatypa

The phospholipid fatty acid composition of the Caribbean sponge Calyx podatypa was studied, and 85 different fatty acids were identified, in particular the 11-methylpentadecanoic acid and 10-tricosenoic acid, which have no literature precedence. Structural characterization was accomplished by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on their corresponding methyl esters and dimethyl disulfide derivatives. The structure of 11-methylpentadecanoic acid was further confirmed by total synthesis (17% overall yield) starting from commercially available 10-hydroxydecanoic acid.     

DIOXINS/*ISOLof West African medicinal plants. XV. Dinklacorine, a new biphenyl dibenzodioxin alkaloid from Tiliacora dinklagei

Dinklacorine was first isolated in 1974 from extracts of the roots of Tiliacora dinklagei Engl. (Menispermaceae) and designated TD-2. The ir, uv and mass spectra of dinklacorine were very similar to those of the dibenzodioxin biphenylalkaloid tiliacorine. However, the two alkaloids differed in their mp, specific rotation and nmr spectra. Methylation of dinklacorine with diazomethane afforded O-methyltiliacorine while treatment of dinklacorine with sodium methoxide and methyl iodide gave O-methyltiliacorine dimethiodide. However, prolonged treatment of tiliacorine and dinklacorine with diazoethane afforded different O-ethyl ethers. In addition, O-ethyldinklacorine dimethiodide and O-ethyltiliacorne dimethiodide were different. Furthermore, acetylation of the two alkaloids with acetic anhydride and puridine gave O-macetyl esters which were not identical. A considertation to these data and especially the mass spectral fragmentation patterns indicated dinklacorine to be a positional isomer of tiliacorine with the phenolic hydroxy group present in the biphenyl portion of the molecule on the opposite side to tiliacorine. Finally, a comparison of the cd spectra of dinklacorine and tiliacorine suggests that they have the same stereochemistry.