RDC-based determination of the relative configuration of the fungicidal cyclopentenone 4,6-diacetylhygrophorone A12

Asymmetric Ketoalkylation/Rearrangement of Alkyenlfurans via Synergistic Photoredox/Brønsted Acid Catalysis

An enantioselective three-component rearrangement of alkenylfurans with various cycloalkyl silyl peroxides and anilines has been developed by merging photoredox catalysis with chiral Brønsted acid catalysis. This protocol provides expedient access to a broad spectrum of ketoalkyl-functionalized 4-aminocyclopentenones in high yields with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivities. Diverse functional groups can be introduced via facile product derivations.

Oxygenated Cyclopentenones via the Pauson-Khand Reaction of Silyl Enol Ether Substrates

We report here the application of silyl enol ether moieties as efficient alkene coupling partners within cobalt-mediated intramolecular Pauson–Khand reactions. This cyclization strategy delivers synthetically valuable oxygenated cyclopentenone products in yields of ≤93% from both ketone- and aldehyde-derived silyl enol ethers, incorporates both terminal and internal alkyne partners, and delivers a variety of decorated systems, including more complex tricyclic structures. Facile removal of the silyl protecting group reveals oxygenated sites for potential further elaboration.

Determination of Complex Small-Molecule Structures Using Molecular Alignment Simulation

Correct structural assignment of small molecules and natural products is critical for drug discovery and organic chemistry. Anisotropy-based NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the structural assignment of organic molecules, but it relies on the utilization of a medium that disrupts the isotropic motion of molecules in organic solvents. Here, we establish a quantitative correlation between the atomic structure of the alignment medium, the molecular structure of the small molecule, and molecule-specific anisotropic NMR parameters. The quantitative correlation uses an accurate three-dimensional molecular alignment model that predicts residual dipolar couplings of small molecules aligned by poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate). The technique facilitates reliable determination of the correct stereoisomer and enables unequivocal, rapid determination of complex molecular structures from extremely sparse NMR data.

Orientation and conformation of two [6]carbohelicenes in stretched polystyrene and a thermoresponsive polyaspartate

Two functionalized [6]carbohelicenes, one of which was also available in its two enantiomeric pure forms, were oriented in stretched polystyrene in CDCl₃ , and in a recently introduced chiral thermoresponsive lyotropic polyaspartate (poly(benzyl)_0.5 (phenethyl)_0.5 -L-aspartate) in C₂ D₂ Cl₄ . From the resulting ¹ H,¹³ C residual dipolar couplings, the helical pitch of a methylated [6]carbohelicene was determined and found to be in agreement with theoretical predictions and existing crystal structures (d(C2,C2') ≈ 4.3 Å). For a second [6]carbohelicene with para-methoxyphenyl substituents, a clear conformational preference of the substituents was observed. The orientational properties of the two helicene enantiomers in the chiral polyaspartate are very similar, but both drastically change around 306 K. We suggest this behavior is due to an unusual phase transition in the liquid crystal.

Configuration determination by residual dipolar couplings: accessing the full conformational space by molecular dynamics with tensorial constraints

Residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) and other residual anisotropic NMR parameters provide valuable structural information of high quality and quantity, bringing detailed structural models of flexible molecules in solution in reach. The corresponding data interpretation so far is directly or indirectly based on the concept of a molecular alignment tensor, which, however, is ill-defined for flexible molecules. The concept is typically applied to a single or a small set of lowest energy structures, ignoring the effect of vibrational averaging. Here, we introduce an entirely different approach based on time averaged molecular dynamics with dipolar couplings as tensorial orientational restraints that can be used to solve structural problems in molecules of any size without the need of introducing an explicit molecular alignment tensor into the computation. RDC restraints are represented by their full 3D interaction tensor in the laboratory frame, for which pseudo forces are calculated using a secular dipolar Hamiltonian as the target. The resulting rotational averaging of each individual tensorial restraint leads to structural ensembles that best fulfil the experimental data. Using one-bond RDCs, the approach has been implemented in the force field procedures of the program COSMOS and extensively tested. A concise theoretical introduction, including the special treatment of force fields for stable and fast MD simulations, as well as applications regarding configurational analyses of small to medium-sized organic molecules with different degrees of flexibility, is given. The observed results are discussed in detail.

Uncommon Polyoxygenated Sesquiterpenoids from South China Sea Soft Coral Lemnalia flava

A detailed chemical investigation of the Chinese soft coral Lemnalia flava yielded four new nardosinane-type sesquiterpenoids (1-4), one new neolemnane-type sesquiterpenoid (5), and one new sesquiterpenoid with an uncommon 6/9 fused bicyclic skeleton (6), together with two known related compounds (7 and 8). The structures and absolute configurations of 1-8 were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analyses, X-ray diffraction analysis, chemical reactions, and computer-assisted structural elucidation including ¹³C NMR data calculation, residual dipolar coupling based NMR analysis, and time-dependent density functional theoryelectronic circular dichroism calculation. Plausible biogenetic pathways of two uncommon sesquiterpenoids (4 and 6) were proposed.

Synthesis of functionalized cyclopentenes through allenic ketone-based multicomponent reactions

A novel and efficient synthesis of diversely functionalized cyclopentene derivatives through the multicomponent reactions of 1,2-allenic ketones with 4-chloroacetoacetate and malononitrile/cyanoacetate under mild and metal-free conditions is presented. Mechanistically, the formation of title compounds involves a cascade process including nucleophilic substitution, Michael addition and intramolecular aldol type reaction. Interestingly, when 1-phenyl allenic ketones bearing electron-donating groups on the phenyl ring were reacted with 4-chloroacetoacetate and cyanoacetate, methylenecyclo-pentanes, the regioisomer of cyclopentenes, were formed with good selectivity and high efficiency.

Residual Dipolar Couplings in Structure Determination of Natural Products

The determination of natural products stereochemistry remains a formidable task. Residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) induced by anisotropic media are a powerful tool for determination of the stereochemistry of organic molecule in solution. This review will provide a short introduction on RDCs-based methodology for the structural elucidation of natural products. Special attention is given to the current availability of alignment media in organic solvents. The applications of RDCs for structural analysis of some examples of natural products were discussed and summarized. This review provides a short introduction on RDCs-based methodology for the structural elucidation of natural products. Special attention is given to the current availability of alignment media in organic solvents. The applications of RDCs for structural analysis of some examples of natural products were discussed and summarized.

Perspectives in the application of residual dipolar couplings in the structure elucidation of weakly aligned small molecules

This perspective article aims to review the general methodology in the application of residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) in the structure elucidation of small molecules and give the author's view on challenges for future applications. Recent improvements in the availability of alignment media, new pulse sequences for the measurement of couplings and improvements in the analysis software have garnered widespread interest in the technique. However, further generalization is needed in order to make RDC analysis into a truly "routine" method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Direct Regioselective [3 + 2]-Cyclization Reactions of Ambivalent Electrophilic/Nucleophilic β-Chlorovinyl Dithianes: Access to Cyclopentene Derivatives

The highly regioselective and operationally straightforward [3 + 2] cyclizations of β-chlorovinyl dithianes with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds have been developed. This protocol provides direct access to highly functionalized cyclopentenes with perfect chemo- and regioselectivities under extremely mild reaction conditions. In particular, the unprecedented cyclization allows for the selective preparation of hydroxylated cyclopentenes.

The Use of a Combination of RDC and Chiroptical Spectroscopy for Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Fusariumin A from the Fungus Fusarium sp

A new alkylpyrrole derivative, fusariumin A (1), was isolated from the culture broth of the fungus Fusarium sp. The absolute configuration of fuasiumin A has been established as (2'R,3'R) using a combination of RDC (residual dipolar coupling)-based NMR and DFT-supported chiroptical spectroscopy. It is worth to note that in this study without the aid of the RDC analysis, an unambiguous determination of configuration and conformation was not feasible due to the excessive conformational possibilities of this open-chain compound.

Structure and Absolute Configuration of Pseudohygrophorones A(12) and B(12), Alkyl Cyclohexenone Derivatives from Hygrophorus abieticola (Basidiomycetes)

Pseudohygrophorones A(12) (1) and B(12) (2), the first naturally occurring alkyl cyclohexenones from a fungal source, and the recently reported hygrophorone B(12) (3) have been isolated from fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Hygrophorus abieticola Krieglst. ex Gröger & Bresinsky. Their structures were assigned on the basis of extensive one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic analysis as well as ESI-HRMS measurements. The absolute configuration of the three stereogenic centers in the diastereomeric compounds 1 and 2 was established with the aid of (3)JH,H and (4)JH,H coupling constants, NOE interactions, and conformational analysis in conjunction with quantum chemical CD calculations. It was concluded that pseudohygrophorone A(12) (1) is 4S,5S,6S configured, while pseudohygrophorone B(12) (2) was identified as the C-6 epimer of 1, corresponding to the absolute configuration 4S,5S,6R. In addition, the mass spectrometric fragmentation behavior of 1-3 obtained by the higher energy collisional dissociation method allows a clear distinction between the pseudohygrophorones (1 and 2) and hygrophorone B(12) (3). The isolated compounds 1-3 exhibited pronounced activity against phytopathogenic organisms.

Conformational analysis of small organic molecules using NOE and RDC data: A discussion of strychnine and α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone

To understand the properties and/or reactivity of an organic molecule, an understanding of its three-dimensional structure is necessary. Simultaneous determination of configuration and conformation often poses a daunting challenge. Thus, the more information accessible for a given molecule, the better. Additionally to (3)J-couplings, two sources of information, quantitative NOE and more recently also RDCs, are used for conformational analysis by NMR spectroscopy. In this paper, we compare these sources of conformational information in two molecules: the configurationally well-characterized strychnine 1, and the only recently configurationally and conformationally characterized α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone 2. We discuss possible sources of error in the measurement and analysis process, and how to exclude them. By this means, we are able to bolster the previously proposed flexibility for these two molecules.

A study on the biosynthesis of hygrophorone B(12) in the mushroom Hygrophorus abieticola reveals an unexpected labelling pattern in the cyclopentenone moiety

The hitherto unknown natural formation of hygrophorones, antibacterial and antifungal cyclopentenone derivatives from mushrooms, was investigated for hygrophorone B(12) in Hygrophorus abieticola Krieglst. ex Gröger & Bresinsky by feeding experiments in the field using (13)C labelled samples of D-glucose and sodium acetate. The incorporation of (13)C isotopes was extensively studied using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy as well as ESI-HRMS analyses. In the experiment with [U-(13)C6]-glucose, six different (13)C2 labelled isotopomers were observed in the 2D INADEQUATE spectrum due to incorporation of [1,2-(13)C2]-acetyl-CoA. This labelling pattern demonstrated that hygrophorone B(12) is derived from a fatty acid-polyketide route instead of a 1,4-α-D-glucan derived anhydrofructose pathway. The experiment with [2-(13)C]-acetate revealed an unexpected incorporation pattern in the cyclopentenone functionality of hygrophorone B(12). Four single-labelled isotopomers, in particular [1-(13)C]-, [2-(13)C]-, [3-(13)C]-, and [4-(13)C]-hygrophorone B(12), were detected that showed only half enrichment in comparison to the respective labelled alkyl side chain carbons. This labelling pattern indicates the formation of a symmetrical intermediate during hygrophorone B(12) biosynthesis. Based on these observations, a biogenetic route via a 4-oxo fatty acid and a chrysotrione B homologue is discussed.

Enantiotopic discrimination in the NMR spectrum of prochiral solutes in chiral liquid crystals

Theory and applications to stereo- and bio-chemistry of the discrimination of enantiotopic elements observed in the NMR spectra of prochiral solutes dissolved in chiral liquid crystals are comprehensively discussed.