Prenylated Stilbenes and Their Novel Biogenetic Derivatives fromArtocarpus chama

Recent advances in the application of [2 + 2] cycloaddition in the chemical synthesis of cyclobutane-containing natural products

Cyclobutanes are distributed widely in a large class of natural products featuring diverse pharmaceutical activities and intricate structural frameworks. The [2 + 2] cycloaddition is unequivocally the primary and most commonly used method for synthesizing cyclobutanes. In this review, we have summarized the application of the [2 + 2] cycloaddition with different reaction mechanisms in the chemical synthesis of selected cyclobutane-containing natural products over the past decade.

Naturally occurring prenylated stilbenoids: food sources, biosynthesis, applications and health benefits

Prenylated stilbenoids are a unique class of natural phenolic compounds consisting of C6-C2-C6 skeleton with prenyl substitution. They are potential nutraceuticals and dietary supplements presented in some edible plants. Prenylated stilbenoids demonstrate promising health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial activities. This review reports the structure, bioactivity and potential application of prenylated stilbeniods in food industry. Edible sources of these compounds are compiled and summarized. Structure-activity relationship of prenylated stilbenoids are also highlighted. The biosynthesis strategies of prenylated stilbenoids are reviewed. The findings of these compounds as food preservative, nutraceuticals and food additive are discussed. This paper combines the up-to-date information and gives a full image of prenylated stilbenoids.

Enantioselective Cyclobutenylation of Olefins Using N-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-Triazoles as Vicinal Dicarbene Equivalents

Cyclobutenes are highly useful synthetic intermediates as well as important motifs in bioactive small molecules. Herein, we report a regio-, chemo-, and enantioselective synthesis of cyclobutenes from olefins using N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles as vicinal dicarbene equivalents or alkyne [2 + 2] cycloaddition surrogates. Terminal and cis-olefins can be transformed into enantioenriched cyclopropanes via rhodium catalysis. Then, in one pot, treatment of these intermediates with tosyl hydrazide and base effects diazo formation followed by rhodium-catalyzed ring expansion to yield enantioenriched cyclobutenes. These cyclobutenes can be transformed into highly substituted, enantioenriched cyclobutanes, including structures relevant to natural product scaffolds.

Application of The Dess-Martin Oxidation in Total Synthesis of Natural Products

Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP), a commercially available chemical, is frequently utilized as a mild oxidative agent for the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones, respectively. DMP shows several merits over other common oxidative agents such as chromiumand DMSO-based oxidants; thus, it is habitually employed in the total synthesis of natural products. In this review, we try to underscore the applications of DMP as an effective oxidant in an appropriate step (steps) in the multi-step total synthesis of natural products.

Artopithecin K, a new phenolic derivative with tyrosinase inhibitory activity from Artocarpus pithecogallus

A new phenolic derivative, artopithecin K (1), was isolated from the twigs of Artocarpus pithecogallus. Its structure was elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 was evaluated for the inhibitory activity against tyrosinase.

Recent advances in the synthesis of gem-dimethylcyclobutane natural products

Covering: January 2000 to July 2018 gem-Dimethylcyclobutanes are a common motif found in a multitude of natural products, and thus these structures have captivated synthetic chemists for years. However, until the turn of the century, most synthetic efforts relied upon the use of widely available terpenes, such as pinene or caryophyllene, that already contain the gem-dimethylcyclobutane motif. This approach limits the scope of molecules that can be accessed readily. This review highlights recent syntheses in which the gem-dimethylcyclobutane is assembled via de novo approaches. An outlook on the future of this research area is also provided.

A modular approach to prepare enantioenriched cyclobutanes: synthesis of (+)-rumphellaone A

A modular synthesis of enantioenriched polyfunctionalized cyclobutanes was developed that features an 8-aminoquinolinamide directed C-H arylation reaction. The C-H arylation products were derivatized through subsequent decarboxylative coupling processes. This synthetic strategy enabled a 9-step enantioselective total synthesis of the antiproliferative meroterpenoid (+)-rumphellaone A.

Prenylflavonoids from the Twigs of Artocarpus nigrifolius

Two new prenylated flavones, artocarnin A (2) and carpachromenol (12), together with 13 known prenylflavonoids (1, 3-11, 13-15) were isolated from the twigs of Artocarpus nigrifolius for the first time. Their structures were elucidated by high resolution-electrospray ionization (HR-ESI)-MS, NMR spectroscopic analysis, and in comparison with the reported data. Compounds 1-15 were evaluated for their antiproliferative effects against SiHa and SGC-7901 human cancer cell lines in vitro. The most active compound, eleocharin A (10), showed significant cytotoxicity on SiHa cells (IC₅₀=0.7±0.1 µM) and inhibitory activity against SGC-7901 cells (IC₅₀=8.3±0.2 µM) and could be considered as potential lead compound for further development of novel anti-tumor agents.

Enantioselective Crossed Photocycloadditions of Styrenic Olefins by Lewis Acid Catalyzed Triplet Sensitization

The synthesis of unsymmetrical cyclobutanes by controlled heterodimerization of olefins remains a substantial challenge, particularly in an enantiocontrolled fashion. Shown herein is that chiral Lewis acid catalyzed triplet sensitization enables the synthesis of highly enantioenriched diarylcyclobutanes by photocycloaddition of structurally varied 2'-hydroxychalcones with a range of styrene coupling partners. The utility of this reaction is demonstrated through the direct synthesis of a representative norlignan cyclobutane natural product.

Isoprenylated Phenolics from Roots of Artocarpus heterophyllus

Thirteen compounds were isolated from Artocarpus heterophyllus, including one new di-isoprenylated stilbene, (±)-artoheterin A (1), and twelve known isoprenylated phenolics, artocarbene (2), 3′,5′,2,4-tetrahydroxy-4′-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) stilbene (3), cudrastilbene (4), 3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) luteolin (5), 5,7,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) flavone (6), 6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) apigenin (7), artochamin B (8), 5′-hydroxycudraflavone A (9), artonins A and B (10–11), heterophyllin (12), and 8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-6,7-dihydroxycoumarin (13). The structures of these compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods. All isolated compounds were screened for their inhibitory abilities against cathepsin K (CatK). Of them, compounds 1–4 and 8–13 were found to have suppression capabilities against CatK with IC50 values ranging from 1.9 to 73.7 μM.

New Cytotoxic Alkylated Chalcones from Fatoua villosa

Three new alkylated chalcones, villosins A - C (1 - 3), five known analogues, together with ten known coumarins, were isolated from Fatoua villosa. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and MS data. Compounds 1 - 3 showed cytotoxicity against five kinds of human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.4 ± 0.1 to 5.7 ± 0.3 μm.

How cyclobutanes are assembled in nature--insights from quantum chemistry

Biosynthetic production of cyclobutanes leads to many complex natural products. Recently, theoretical work employing quantum chemical calculations has shed light on many of the details of cyclobutane-formation, in particular, for terpene natural products. Specific insights and general principles derived from these theoretical studies are described herein.

Denticulatains A and B: unique stilbene–diterpene heterodimers from Macaranga denticulata

Two novel heterodimers were isolated from the fronds of Macaranga denticulata. They possess an unprecedented stilbene–diterpene-type skeleton, which represents a unique class of prenylated stilbene.

An efficient route to highly strained cyclobutenes: indium-catalyzed reactions of enynals with alkynes

A catalytic method to synthesize the highly strained cyclobutene was developed. The reaction was believed to proceed through a formal indium-catalyzed [2+2] cycloaddition between electron-deficient enynals and a variety of alkynes.

Natural stilbenoids: distribution in the plant kingdom and chemotaxonomic interest in Vitaceae

Stilbenoids, a family of polyphenols known for the complexity of their structure and for their diverse biological activities, occur with a limited but heterogeneous distribution in the plant kingdom. The most prominent stilbene containing plant family, the Vitaceae, represented by the famous wine producing grape vines Vitis vinifera L., is one of the richest sources of novel stilbenes currently known, together with other families, such as Dipterocarpaceae, Gnetaceae and Fabaceae. This review focuses on the distribution of stilbenes and 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives in the plant kingdom, the chemical structure of stilbenes in the Vitaceae family and their taxonomic implication.

New isoprenylated flavones and stilbene derivative from Artocarpus hypargyreus

Three new isoprenylated flavones, hypargyflavones A-C (1-3, resp.), and one novel stilbene derivative, hypargystilbene A (4), together with seven known compounds, 5-11, were isolated from the stems of Artocarpus hypargyreus Hance. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Hypargyflavone A (1), cudraflavone C (8), brosimone I (10), and norartocarpin (11) showed inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase.

Prenylated cinnamate and stilbenes from Kangaroo Island propolis and their antioxidant activity

A prenylated cinnamic acid derivative as well as six prenylated tetrahydroxystilbenes were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of propolis that originated from Kangaroo Island, Australia. Furthermore, six known stilbenes and two known flavanones were also identified from the same sample. Stilbenes are not common in propolis; therefore, Kangaroo Island propolis is considered a unique type of propolis that is rich in prenylated stilbenes. Stilbene propolis from Kangaroo Island showed a stronger scavenging activity towards DPPH free radical than Brazilian green propolis. This strong activity can be explained by the presence of large number of stilbenes, most of them showed strong free radical scavenging activity.

New isoprenylated flavonoids and cytotoxic constituents from Artocarpus tonkinensis

Two new isoprenylated flavonoids, artotonins A and B (1 and 2), along with 13 known compounds (3-15), were isolated from the roots of Artocarpus tonkinensis A. Chev. ex Gagnep. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Cyclocommunol (6), isocyclomulberrin (7), cudraflavone C (11), and morusin (13) exhibited cytotoxicity against hepatocellular carcinoma (SMMC-7721) and gastric carcinoma (BGC-823 and SGC-7901) cell lines.

Chemical constituents of the stem bark of Morus cathayana

Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Morus cathayana led to the isolation and identification of six new compounds, cathayanons F-J (1-5) and cathayanin A (6), and two known compounds, cathayanins B-C (7-8). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 exhibited weak activities against five human cancer cell lines, with IC(50) values ranging from 4.7 to 9.8 microg/ml.

New isoprenylated 2-arylbenzofurans and pancreatic lipase inhibitory constituents from Artocarpus nitidus

Two new isoprenylated 2-arylbenzofurans, artonitidin A (=(2'R)-2',3'-dihydro-2'-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-5',7-bis(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-2,4'-bi-1-benzofuran-6,6'-diol; and artonitidin B (=5-[6-hydroxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-1-benzofuran-2-yl]-4-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)benzene-1,3-diol; together with 14 known compounds, were isolated from the stems of Artocarpus nitidus Trec. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Norartocarpin, cudraflavone C, brosimone I, artotonkin, albanin A, and artopetelin M showed inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase with IC(50) values ranging from 1.8+/-0.1 to 63.8+/-3.6 microM.

Pericyclic domino reactions: concise approaches to natural carbocyclic frameworks

This tutorial review highlights new research in the area of pericyclic domino reactions. It is directed towards chemists interested in cascading reactions and the total synthesis of natural products. Concise approaches to natural frameworks are described, as well as the application of domino reactions in the context of target-oriented synthesis and total synthesis.

Total synthesis of atrochamins F, H, I, and J through cascade reactions

A concise and efficient cascade-based total synthesis of artochamins F, H, I, and J is described. The potential biogenetic connection between artochamin F, or a derivative thereof, and artochamins H, I, and J, through an unusual formal [2+2] cycloaddition process, was shown to be feasible. An alternative mechanism for this transformation is also proposed.

Functionalized Cyclobutanes via Heck Cyclization

Heck-type 4-exo-trig cyclization of linear 2-enol triflate-1,5-hexadienes provides functionalized methylene cyclobutanes. Intramolecular palladium coordination can initiate beta-hydride elimination leading to 1,2-dimethylene cyclobutane derivatives, which are obtained with high selectivity if substrates having a geminal diphenyl group at Calpha are used. In parallel, formal 5-endo-trig cyclization and beta-hydride elimination form 1-methylene cyclopent-2-en derivatives.