Oxydation et addition des dihalocarbènes sur le β-himachalène

Chemical reactivities and molecular docking studies of parthenolide with the main protease of HEP-G2 and SARS-CoV-2

We have used bioinformatics to identify drugs for the treatment of COVID-19, using drugs already being tested for the treatment as benchmarks like Remdesivir and Chloroquine. Our findings provide further support for drugs that are already being explored as therapeutic agents for the treatment of COVID-19 and identify promising new targets that merit further investigation. In addition, the epoxidation of Parthenolide 1 using peracids, has been scrutinized within the MEDT at the B3LYP/6-311(d,p) computational level. DFT results showed a high chemoselectivity on the double bond C₃[bond, double bond]C₄, in full agreement with the experimental outcomes. ELF analysis demonstrated that epoxidation reaction took place through a one-step mechanism, in which the formation of the two new C-O single bonds is somewhat asynchronous.

BF3·OEt2-Catalyzed Rearrangement of Epoxy-Himachalenes: Access to New Biosourced N-Acetamide-Based Himachalenes

Biosourced N-acetamide-based himachalenes were synthesized by Lewis acid catalyzed rearrangement of epoxy-himachalene derived from α-cis- and β-himachalenes, the main component of essential oil of Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). Several new chiral polycyclic N-acetamide compounds were obtained with different selectivities depending on the acid used. Among the Lewis acids used, BF3·OEt2 under catalytic and mild conditions is efficient and selective affording the formation of chiral N-acetamides in good yields. Otherwise, using acetonitrile as solvent and reagent was proved as an efficient tool giving access to new N-acetamide-based himachalenes. A mechanism to explain the formation of the different compounds observed in the reaction mixture has also been proposed.

Understanding the Mechanism and Selectivities of the Reaction of Meta-Chloroperbenzoic Acid and Dibromocarbene with β-Himachalene: A DFT Study

This study was performed to understand the site selectivity in the reaction between β-himachalene and meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) in the first step followed by the addition of dibromocarbene (CBr2) to the main monoepoxidation product Pα formed in the first reaction. Calculations were performed using the Becke three-parameter hybrid exchange functional and the Lee–Yang–Parr correlation functional (B3LYP) with the 6-311 + G (d, p) basis set. Transition states were located by QST2, and their highlighting was validated by the existence of only one imaginary frequency in the Hessian matrix. The action of m-CPBA on β-himachalene was analyzed on the two double bonds of β-himachalene whose theoretical calculations show that the attack affects the most substituted double bond on α side containing hydrogen of ring junction. The obtained Pα product thereafter treated with dibromocarbene leads via an exothermic reaction to the six-membered ring double bond position of α-monoepoxide. The major products Pαα are kinetically and thermodynamically favored with a high stereoselectivity in perfect correlation with the experimental observations.

Optimization of Insecticidal Triterpene Derivatives by Biomimetic Oxidations with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodosobenzene Catalyzed by MnIII and FeIII Porphyrin Complexes

Semisynthetic functionalized triterpenes (4α,14-dimethyl-5α,8α-8,9-epoxycholestan-3β-yl acetate; 4α,14-dimethyl-5α-cholest-8-ene-3,7,11-trione; 4α,14-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-7,9(11)-dien-3-one and 4α,14-dimethyl-5α-cholest-8-en-3β-yl acetate), previously prepared from 31-norlanostenol, a natural insecticide isolated from the latex of Euphorbia officinarum, have been subjected to oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) and iodosobenzene (PhIO) catalyzed by porphyrin complexes (cytochrome P-450 models) in order to obtain optimized derivatives with high regioselectivity. The main transformations were epoxidation of the double bonds and hydroxylations of non-activated C-H groups and the reaction products were 25-hydroxy-4α,14-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-7,9(11)-dien-3β-yl acetate (59 %), 25-hydroxy-4α,14-dimethyl-5α-cholest-8-ene-3,7,11-trione (60 %), 4α,14-dimethyl-5α,7β-7,8-epoxycholest-9(11)-en-3-one (22 %), 8-hydroxy-4α,14-dimethyl-5α-cholest-9(11)-ene-3,7-dione (16 %), 12α-hydroxy-4α,14-dimethyl-5α,7β-7,8-epoxycholest-9(11)-en-3-one (16 %), and 4α,14-dimethyl-5α,8α-8,9-epoxycholestan-3β-yl acetate (26 %), respectively. We also investigated the insect (Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi and Spodoptera littoralis) antifeedant and postingestive effects of these terpenoid derivatives. None of the compounds tested had significant antifeedant effects, however, all were more effective postingestive toxicants on S. littoralis larvae than the natural compound 31-norlanostenol, with 4α,14-dimethyl-5α,8α-8,9-epoxycholestan-3β-yl acetate being the most active. The study of their structure-activity relationships points out at the importance of C3 and C7 substituents.

N-[1,4,4-Trimethyltricyclo[6.3.1.03,9]dodec-8(12)-en-2-yl]acetamide

The title compound, C17H27NO, crystallizes with three independent molecules in the asymmetric unit with almost identical conformations. Each molecule is built up from a seven-membered ring to which a bridged six-membered ring is fused. In each of the three molecules, the seven-membered rings have a twist-chair conformation, while the cyclohexenyl rings display perfect boat conformations. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into zigzag chains running along theb-axis direction.

N-[(1aR,5aR,8R,9aR)-1,1-Dichloro-1a,5,5,7-tetramethyl-1a,2,3,4,5,5a,8,9-octahydro-1H-benzo[a]cyclopropa[b][7]annulen-8-yl]acetamide

In the title compound, C18H27Cl2NO, the cyclohexene ring has an envelope conformation, with the C atom at the 9a position as the flap. The cycloheptane ring, to which it is fused, has a boat conformation. The dihedral angle between their mean planes is 60.7 (2)°. The 1,1-dichloro-cyclopropane ring is inclined to these two ring mean planes by 88.5 (3) and 28.3 (3)°, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming 61helices along thec-axis direction. The absolute configuration of the molecule in the crystal could be fully confirmed from anomalous dispersion effects [Flack parameter = 0.020 (15)].

Triterpene derivatives from Euphorbia enhance resistance against Verticillium wilt of tomato

Oxidation of α-euphorbol and 31-norlanostenol, two triterpenic compounds isolated from the latex of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum respectively, yielded four products named 3β-tosyloxy-4α,14α-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-7,9-diene; 4α,14α-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-7,9-dien-3β-ol; 24-methylen-elemo-lanosta-8,24-dien-3-one and elemo-lanost-8-en-3,11,24-trione. They were evaluated for protection of tomato plants against Verticillium dahliae in a greenhouse. The four semisynthesized products were phytotoxic at higher concentrations as they completely inhibited tomato germination at 100 and 500 μg/ml. However at lower concentrations (10 and 50 μg/ml) germination and root length were not affected. Disease resistance against Verticillium wilt was assessed in tomato plants derived from seeds that germinated in the presence of 10 and 50 μg/ml of the four products. All of them were able to reduce significantly disease severity, with 10 μg/ml being more effective than 50 μg/ml. Reduction of leaf alteration index and of stunting index ranged from 52 to 68% and from 43 to 67%, respectively, while vessel discoloration was reduced by at least 95%. The compounds were also able to elicit H₂O₂ accumulation before and after fungal inoculation and to significantly enhance peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities. These results suggest that the hemisynthetized triterpenes can be used as elicitors of disease resistance.

1-[(1R,2S,4R,7S)-3,3-Dichloro-4,11,11-trimethyltricyclo[5.4.0.02,4]undecan-7-yl]ethanone

The title compound, C16H24Cl2O, crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Each molecule is built up from two fused six-membered rings, one of which is fused to a three-membered ring. The two molecules differ essentially in the orientation of two of the methyl groups. The dihedral angles between the mean planes through the two six-membered rings are 57.98 (13) and 55.29 (13)°. The molecular conformation is stabilized by intramolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds.

(1S,2R,8R)-11-Amino-2,2-dichloro-3,7,7,10-tetramethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodec-10-en-9-one

The title compound, C16H23Cl2NO, crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP21with two independent molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. They have essentially the same conformation. Each molecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and an additional three-membered ring. The six-membered ring has an envelope conformation, with the C atom belonging to the three-membered ring forming the flap, while the seven-membered ring displays a boat conformation. In the crystal, molecules are linked into chains propagating along thea-axis direction by N—H...O hydrogen bonds.

N-[(3aR*,3bS*)-1,3b,7,7-Tetramethyl-3a,3b,4,5,6,7,7a,7b-octahydro-3H-cyclopenta[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2]benzen-3a-yl]acetamide

The title compound, C17H27NO, is built up from a four-membered ring to which a six- and a five-membered ring are fused. The cyclohexane ring has a chair conformation, while the cyclopentene ring has an envelope conformation, with the C atom substituted by the acetamide group as the flap. The dihedral angles between the mean plane of the central cyclobutane ring and the mean planes of the cyclopentene and cyclohexane rings are 62.52 (2) and 61.06 (11)°, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along theb-axis direction.

Crystal structure of (1S,3R,8R,9R)-2,2-di-chloro-3,7,7-tri-methyl-10-methylenetri-cyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodecan-9-ol

The title compound, C16H24Cl2O, was synthesized by treating (1S,3R,8S,9R,10S)-2,2-di-chloro-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyl-9,10-ep-oxy-tri-cyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodecane with a concentrated solution of hydro-bromic acid. It is built up from three fused rings: a cyclo-heptane ring, a cyclo-hexyl ring bearing alkene and hy-droxy substituents, and a cyclo-propane ring bearing two chlorine atoms. The asymmetric unit contains two mol-ecules linked by an O-H⋯O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, further O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds build up an R 4 (4)(8) cyclic tetra-mer. One of the mol-ecules presents disorder that affects the seven-membered ring. In both mol-ecules, the six-membered rings display a chair conformation, whereas the seven-membered rings display conformations inter-mediate between boat and twist-boat for the non-disordered mol-ecule and either a chair or boat and twist-boat for the disordered mol-ecule owing to the disorder. The absolute configuration for both mol-ecules is 1S,3R,8R,9R and was deduced from the chemical pathway and further confirmed by the X-ray structural analysis.

(1S,3R,8R,11S)-2,2,11-Tribromo-10-bromomethyl-3,7,7-trimethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodec-9-ene

The title compound, C16H22Br4, was synthesized in two steps from β-himachalene, which was isolated from essential oil of the Atlas cedar (cedrus atlantica). It is built up from three fused rings, a seven-membered heptane ring, a six-membered cyclohexyl ring bearing both a bromine and a bromomethyl substituent, and a three-membered propane ring bearing two Br atoms. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...Br hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [001]. The absolute configuration was deduced from the chemical pathway and confirmed by resonant scattering [Flack parameter = 0.012 (10)].

1,6-Diacetyl-2-isopropyl-4,7-dimethylnaphthalene

The title compound, C19H22O2, was synthesized in three steps from a mixture of α-, β- and γ-himachalene, which was isolated from an essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains running parallel to thebaxis.

N′-[(1S,3R,8R)-2,2-Dichloro-3,7,7,10-tetramethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodecan-11-yl]acetohydrazide

The title compound, C18H26Cl2N2O, was synthesized in four steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-benzocycloheptene), which was isolated from an essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). It crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Each molecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and an appended three-membered ring. An acetylhydrazone substituent is attached to the six-membered ring. In both molecules the six-membered rings display half-chair conformations, whereas the seven-membered rings have boat conformations. In the two molecules, the mean planes of the two rings are inclined to one another by 59.9 (3) and 59.1 (3)°. In the crystal, the two molecules are linkedviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming dimers with anR22(8) loop. Within the dimer there are also C—H...O hydrogen bonds present. The dimers are linkedviaC—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, forming slabs parallel to theabplane.

(1S,3R,8R,9S,10R)-2,2-Dichloro-3,7,7,10-tetramethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodecan-9-yl 4-methylbenzene-1-sulfonate

The title compound, C23H31Cl2O3S, was synthesized in three steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-benzocycloheptene), which was isolated from essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The fused six- and seven-membered rings have boat conformations: the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the rings is 88.03 (12)%. The absolute structure was established unambiguously from anomalous dispersion effects. There are no directional interactions in the crystal.

Crystal structure of (1S,3R,8R,9R,10S)-2,4,6-tris-(2,2-di-chloro-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyl-tri-cyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodec-9-yl)cyclo-triboroxane

The title compound, C48H75B3Cl6O3, was synthesized in two steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra-methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa-hydro-1H-benzo-cyclo-hept-ene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol-ecule consists of an almost planar cyclo-triboroxane ring [maximum deviation = 0.036 (2) Å] linked to three identical fused ring systems with different conformations. Each of the three attached ring systems is built up from a seven-membered ring to which a six- and a three-membered ring are fused. The three six-membered rings have a twist-boat conformation, whereas the seven-membered rings display boat, chair and twist-boat conformations. The dihedral angles between the central boroxane ring and the mean planes of the attached six-membered rings are 63.67 (18), 54.89 (2) and 56.57 (19)°. The crystal packing is governed only by van der Waals inter-actions.

Crystal structure of (1S,3R,8R,9S,10R)-10-bromo-methyl-2,2-di-chloro-9,10-ep-oxy-3,7,7-tri-methyl-tri-cyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodeca-ne

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₃BrCl₂O, was synthesized in three steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzo­cyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (cedrus atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from two fused six- and seven-membered rings, each linked to a three-membered ring. The six-membered ring has a screw-boat conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a twist-boat conformation. The absolute structure was established unambiguously from anomalous dispersion effects.

Theoretical study of stereoselectivity of the [1 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between (1S,3R,8S)-2,2-dichloro-3,7,7,10-tetramethyltricyclo[6,4,0,0(1.3)]dodec-9-ene and dibromocarbene using density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-31G*(d)

In this work we used density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-31G*(d) to study the stoichiometric reaction between the product (1S,3R,8S)-2,2-dichloro-3,7,7,10-tetramethyltricyclo[6,4,0,0(1.3)]dodec-9-ene (referred to here as P1) and dibromocarbene. We have shown that P1 behaves as a nucleophile, while dibromocarbene behaves as an electrophile; that the chemical potential of dibromocarbene is superior to that of P1 in absolute terms; and that P1 reacts with an equivalent quantity of dibromocarbene to produce two products: (1S,3R,8R,9S,11R)-10,10-dibromo-2,2-dichloro-3,7,7,11-tetramethyltetracyclo[6,5,0,0(1.3),0(9.11)] tridecane (referred to here as P2) and (1S,3R,8R,9R,11S)-10,10-dibromo-2,2-dichloro-3,7,7,11-tetramethyltetracyclo[6,5,0,0(1.3),0(9.11)] tridecane (referred to here as P3). P2 and P3 are formed at the α and β sides, respectively, of the C2 = C3 double bond of P1. This reaction is exothermic, stereoselective and chemospecific, and is controlled by charge transfer. Regioselectivity of the reaction was interpreted using the Lee-Yang-Parr functional.

(1S,2R,3S,6S,7R)-3,7,11,11-Tetramethyl-6,7-epoxybicyclo[5.4.0]undecane-2-ol

The title compound, C₁₅H₂₆O₂, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzo­cyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the Atlas cedar (cedrus atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from a seven-membered ring to which a six- and a three-membered ring are fused. The seven- and six-membered rings each have a twist-boat conformation. In the crystal, O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into zigzag chains running along the b-axis direction.

(1R,4R,6S,7R)-5,5-Di-bromo-1,4,8,8-tetra-methyl-tri-cyclo-[5.4.1.0(4,6)]dodecan-12-one

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₄Br₂O, was synthesized from the reaction of β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzo­cyclo­heptene), which was isolated from Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The asymmetric unit contains two independent mol­ecules with similar conformations. Each mol­ecule is built up from two fused seven-membered rings and an additional three-membered ring. In both mol­ecules, one of the seven-membered rings has a chair conformation, whereas the other displays a screw-boat conformation.

1-[(1S,6R,7S,9R)-8,8-Di-bromo-5,5,9-tri-methyl-tri-cyclo-[4.4.0.1(7,9)]decan-1-yl]ethanone

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₄Br₂O, was synthesized by three steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzo­cyclo­heptene), which was isolated from essential oil of the Atlas cedar cedrus atlantica. The asymmetric unit contains two independent mol­ecules with almost identical conformations. Each mol­ecule is built up from two fused six-membered rings, one having a chair conformation and the other a boat conformation, and an additional three-membered ring arising from the reaction of himachalene with di­bromo­carbene. In the crystal, there are no significant intermolecular interactions present. The absolute structure of the title compound was confirmed by resonance scattering.

(1S,3R,8R,10R)-2,2-Di-bromo-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyl-tri-cyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodecan-9-one

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₄Br₂O was synthesized by three steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzo­cyclo­heptene), which was isolated from essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from a seven-membered ring to which a six- and a three-membered ring are fused. The six-membered ring shows a chair conformation. One C atom in the seven-membered ring and two methyl groups attached to the ring are disordered over two sets of sites, with an occupancy ratio of 0.658 (7):0.342 (7).

(1S,3S,8R,10R,11R)-3,7,7,10-Tetramethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodecan-11-ol

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₈O, was synthesized by three steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzo­cyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and an appended three-membered ring. The six-membered ring has twist-boat conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a chair conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into chains propagating along the a-axis direction by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

(1S,3R,8R,11S)-11-Bromo-10-bromomethyl-2,2-dichloro-3,7,7-trimethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodec-9-ene

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₂Br₂Cl₂, was synthesized from β-him­achalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzo­cyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and an appended three-membered ring. The six-membered ring has a half-chair conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the two best plane through each ring is 59.5 (2)°. No specific inter­molecular inter­actions were discerned in the crystal packing.

(1S,3S,8R,9S,11R)-10,10-Di-chloro-3,7,7,11-tetra-methyl-tetra-cyclo[6.5.0.0(1,3).0(9,11)]trideca-ne

The title compound, C17H26Cl2, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra-methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa-hydro-1H-benzo-cyclo-heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The asymmetric unit contains two independent mol-ecules with similar conformations. Each mol-ecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and two three-membered rings from the reaction of β-himachalene with di-chloro-carbene. In both mol-ecules, the six-membered ring has a half-chair conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a boat conformation. The absolute configuration was established from anomalous dispersion effects.

(1S,3R,8R)-2,2-Di-chloro-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyl-tri-cyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodec-9-en-11-one

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₂Cl₂O, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzo­cyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and an additional three-membered ring arising from the reaction of himachalene with di­chloro­carbene. The six-membered ring has an envelope conformation, with the C atom belonging to the three-membered ring forming the flap, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a screw-boat conformation; the dihedral angle between the rings (all atoms) is 59.65 (14)°.

(1S,3R,8R,9R,10S)-2,2-Dibromo-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyl-9β,10β-ep-oxy-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyl-tricyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodeca-ne

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₄Br₂O, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzocyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The mol­ecule contains fused six- and seven-membered rings, each linked to a three-membered ring. The six-membered ring has a half-chair conformation, while the seven-membered ring displays a chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean planes through the six- and seven-membered rings is 39.55 (12)°. The two three-membered rings, linked to the six- and seven-membered rings, are nearly perpendicular to the six-membered ring, making dihedral angles of 78.6 (2) and 80.5 (2)°, respectively. The absolute structure was established unambiguously from anomalous dispersion effects. In the crystal, each mol­ecule is linked to its symmetry-equivalent partner by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming zigzag chains parallel to [100].

2,2-Dichloro-3,7,7,11-tetra-methyl-10-aza-tetra-cyclo-[6.5.0.0(1,3).0(9,11)]trideca-ne

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₅Cl₂N, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzocyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings linked to two three-membered rings. The six-membered ring shows a half-chair conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean planes through the six- and seven-membered rings is 59.8 (2)°. The two three-membered rings lie to one side and each is nearly perpendicular to the six-membered ring, forming dihedral angles of 83.2 (2) and 86.0 (2)°. The absolute structure was established unambiguously from anomalous dispersion effects. No specific inter­molecular inter­actions are noted in the crystal structure.

(1S,3R,8R)-2,2-Dibromo-10-bromomethyl-3,7,7-trimethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodec-9-ene

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₃Br₃, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzocyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and an additional three-membered ring from the reaction of himachalene with dibromo­carbene. The six-membered ring has an envelope conformation (the flap atom being the C atom shared with the three-membered ring, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a screw boat conformation; the dihedral angle between the rings (defined by the near coplanar atoms) is 56.5 (2)°.

(1S,3R,8R)-2,2-Dibromo-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyltricyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodec-9-en-11-one

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₂Br₂O, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzocyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and an additional three-membered ring from the reaction of himachalene with dibromo­carbene. The six-membered ring has an envelope conformation, with the C atom belonging to the three-membered ring forming the flap, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a screw-boat conformation; the dihedral angle between the rings (all atoms) is 60.92 (16)°.

(1S,3R,8R)-2,2-Dibromo-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyl-tricyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3)]dodec-9-ene

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₄Br₂, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzocyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol­ecule is built up from two fused six- and seven-membered rings and an additional three-membered ring from the reaction of β-himachalene with dibromo­carbene. The six-membered ring shows a screw-boat conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a boat conformation; the dihedral angle between the mean planes through the rings is 57.9 (4)°. The absolute structure was established unambiguously from anomalous dispersion effects.

(1S,3R,8R,11S)-2,2-Dichloro-3,7,7,10-tetramethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodec-9-en-11-ol

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₄Cl₂O, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzocyclo­heptene), which was isolated from essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The two fused rings exhibit different conformations: the six-membered ring has a screw-boat conformation, while the seven-membered ring displays a boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the two rings is 56.56 (18)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules aggregate into supra­molecular chains along the c axis mediated by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

(1S,3R,8R)-9-(1-Amino-ethyl-idene)-2,2-dichloro-3,7,7-trimethyl-tricyclo-[6.4.0.0]undecan-10-one

The title compound, C(16)H(23)Cl(2)NO, was synthesised from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra-methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa-hydro-1H-benzocyclo-heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The mol-ecule contains a seven membered ring, which is fused to a five- and a three-membered ring. The five-membered ring has a twisted conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the five- and seven-membered rings is 45.26 (9)°. The absolute structure was established unambiguously from anomalous dispersion effects. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into chains propagating along the b axis by inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds; an intramolecular N-H⋯O link also occurs.

(1S,3R,8S,9R,10S)-2,2-Dichloro-3,7,7,10-tetra-methyl-9,10-ep-oxy-tricyclo-[6.4.0.0]dodeca-ne

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₄Cl₂O, was synthesized from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetra­methyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-benzocyclo­heptene), which was isolated from the essential oil of the Atlas cedar (cedrus atlantica). The mol­ecule forms an extended sheet of two fused rings which exhibit different conformations. The six-membered ring has a half-chair conformation, while the seven-membered ring displays a chair conformation; the dihedral angle between the two rings is 38.2 (1)°.

(1S,2S,4R)-3,3-Dichloro-4,8,12,12-tetra-methyl-tricyclo-[5.5.0.0]dodeca-6,8-diene

The title compound, C(16)H(22)Cl(2), a derivative of β-himachalene, was semi-synthesized from natural essential oils of Cedrus atlantica. The mol-ecule is built up from two fused six- and seven-membered rings. The six-membered ring has a perfect chair conformation, whereas the seven-membered ring displays a screw boat conformation; the dihedral angle between the rings is 46.48 (9)°.

Screening study of lead compounds for natural product-based fungicides: antifungal activity and biotransformation of 6alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-beta-himachalene by Botrytis cinerea

Eleven beta-himachalene derivatives were tested, using the poisoning food technique, for their potential antifungal activity against the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea. Compounds 1-11 displayed moderate activity, whereas the 6,7-diol derivative (12) produced an inhibition of 91% after 6 days. The microbial transformation of 12 was investigated and yielded four new compounds hydroxylated at positions C-5 (13), C-2 (14), C-4 (15), and C-12 (16). The structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data including two-dimensional NMR analysis (HMQC, HMBC, nOesy) and nOes. The results obtained from biotransformation experiments shed further light on the detoxification mechanism of the phytopathogenic fungus against this compound and give an indication of the structural modifications that may be necessary if substrates of this type are to be further developed as selective fungal control agents for B. cinerea.