Pestalone, a new antibiotic produced by a marine fungus in response to bacterial challenge.

The isolation and structure determination of a new chlorinated benzophenone antibiotic, pestalone (1), is described. The new compound was produced by a cultured marine fungus only when a unicellular marine bacterium, strain CNJ-328, was co-cultured in the fungal fermentation. The fungus, isolated from the surface of the brown alga Rosenvingea sp. collected in the Bahamas Islands, was identified as an undescribed member of the genus Pestalotia. The structure of 1, initially assigned with only modest confidence by combined spectral and chemical data, was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Pestalone (1) exhibits moderate in vitro cytotoxicity in the National Cancer Institute's 60 human tumor cell line screen (mean GI(50) = 6.0 microM). More importantly, pestalone shows potent antibiotic activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 37 ng/mL) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (MIC = 78 ng/mL), indicating that pestalone should be evaluated in advanced models of infectious disease.

Synthesis of ((t)Bu3SiNH)2ClW triple bond WCl(NHSi(t)Bu3)2 and its degradation via NH bond activation.

Treatment of NaW2Cl7(THF)5 with 4 equiv of (t)Bu3SiNHLi afforded the C2 W(III) dimer [((t)Bu3SiNH)2WCl]2 (1, d(W triple bond W) = 2.337(2) A), which is a rare, primary amide M2X4Y2 species. Its degradation provided evidence of NH bond activation by the ditungsten bond. Addition of 2 equiv of (t)Bu3SiNHLi or TlOSi(t)Bu3 to 1 yielded H2 and hydride ((t)Bu3SiN)2((t)Bu3SiNH)WH (2, d(WH) = 1.67(3) A) or ((t)Bu3SiN)2((t)Bu3SiO)WH (3). Thermolysis (60 degrees C, 16 h) of 1 in py gave ((t)Bu3SiN)2WHCl(py) (4-py, 40-50%), ((t)Bu3SiN)2WCl2(py) (6-py, 10%), and ((t)Bu3SiN)2HW(mu-Cl)(mu-H)2W(NSi(t)Bu3)py2 (5-py2, 5%), whereas thermolysis in DME produced ((t)Bu3SiN)2WCl(OMe) (7, 30%), ((t)Bu3SiN)2WCl2 (6, 20%), and ((t)Bu3SiN)2HW(mu-Cl)(mu-H)2W(NSi(t)Bu3)DME (5-DME, 3%). Compound 7 was independently produced via thermolysis of 4-py and DME (-MeOEt, -py), and THF and ethylene oxide addition to hydride 2 gave ((t)Bu3SiN)2((t)Bu3SiNH)WO(n)Bu (8) and ((t)Bu3SiN)2((t)Bu3SiNH)WOEt (9), respectively. Dichloride 6 was isolated from SnCl4 treatment of 1 with the loss of H2. Sequential NH bond activations by the W2 core lead to "((t)Bu3SiN)2WHCl" (4) and subsequent thermal degradation products. Thermolysis of 1 in the presence of H2C=CH(t)Bu and PhC triple bond CPh trapped 4 and generated ((t)Bu3SiN)2W((neo)Hex)Cl (10) and a approximately 6:1 mixture of ((t)Bu3SiN)2WCl(cis-CPh=CPhH) (11-cis) and ((t)Bu(3)SiN)2WCl(trans-CPh=CPhH) (11-trans), respectively. Thermolysis of the latter mixture afforded ((t)Bu3SiNH)((t)Bu3SiN)WCl(eta2-PhCCPh) (12) as the major constituent. Alkylation of 1 with MeMgBr produced ((t)Bu3SiN)2W(CH3)2 (13), as did addition of 2 equiv of MeMgBr to 6. X-ray crystal structure determinations of 1, 2, 5-py2, 6-py, 11-trans, and 12 confirmed spectroscopic identifications. A general mechanism that features a sequence of NH activations to generate 4, followed by chloride metathesis, olefin insertion, etc., explains the formation of all products.

Single-site beta-diiminate zinc catalysts for the alternating copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides: catalyst synthesis and unprecedented polymerization activity.

Synthetic routes to zinc beta-diiminate complexes are reported. The synthesis of 11 beta-diimine [(BDI)-H] ligands, with varying N-aryl substituents and bridging structures, is described. These ligands are converted to (BDI)ZnX complexes (X = OAc, Et, N(SiMe3)2, Br, Cl, OH, OMe, O(i)Pr). X-ray structural data revealed that all zinc complexes examined exist as micro-X-bridged dimers in the solid state, with the exception of the zinc ethyl and amido complexes which were monomeric. Complexes of the form (BDI)ZnOR (R = alkyl, acyl) and (BDI)ZnN(SiMe3)2 are highly active catalysts for the alternating copolymerization of epoxides and CO2. Copolymerizations of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and CO2 with (BDI-1)ZnX [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene)] and (BDI-2)ZnX [(BDI-2) = 2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene)], where X = OAc, Et, N(SiMe3)2, Br, Cl, OH, OMe, O(i)Pr, were attempted at 50 degrees C and 100 psi CO2. Complexes with X = OAc, N(SiMe3)2, OMe, O(i)Pr all produced polycarbonate by the alternated insertion of CHO and CO2 with similar catalytic activities, comparable molecular weights, and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWD approximately 1.1), indicating the copolymerizations are living. Furthermore, ligand effects were shown to dramatically influence the polymerization activity as minor steric changes accelerated or terminated the polymerization activity.

Polymerization of lactide with zinc and magnesium beta-diiminate complexes: stereocontrol and mechanism.

A series of zinc(II) and magnesium(II) alkoxides based upon a beta-diiminate ligand framework has been prepared. [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr](2) [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] exhibited the highest activity and stereoselectivity of the zinc complexes studied for the polymerization of rac- and meso-lactide to poly(lactic acid) (PLA). [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)()Pr](2) polymerized (S,S)-lactide to isotactic PLA without epimerization of the monomer, rac-lactide to heterotactic PLA (P(r) = 0.94 at 0 degrees C), and meso-lactide to syndiotactic PLA (P(r) = 0.76 at 0 degrees C). The polymerizations are living, as evidenced by the narrow polydispersities of the isolated polymers in addition to the linear nature of number average molecular weight versus conversion plots and monomer-to-catalyst ratios. The substituents on the beta-diiminate ligand exert a significant influence upon the course of the polymerizations, affecting both the degree of stereoselectivity and the rate of polymerization. Kinetic studies with [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr](2) indicate that the polymerizations are first order with respect to monomer (rac-lactide) and 1.56 order in catalyst. Polymerization experiments with [(BDI-1)MgO(i)Pr](2) revealed that this complex is extremely fast for the polymerization of rac-lactide, polymerizing 500 equiv in 96% yield in less than 5 min at 20 degrees C.

Exploring chemical diversity of epoxyquinoid natural products: synthesis and biological activity of (-)-jesterone and related molecules.

Enantioselective syntheses of the potent antifungal agent (-)-jesterone, its hydroxy epimer, and a dimeric quinone epoxide derivative are reported. The synthesis involves diastereoselective epoxidation of a chiral quinone monoketal derivative and regio- and stereoselective reduction of a quinone epoxide intermediate.

A pregnane steroid from Aglaia lawii and structure confirmation of cabraleadiol monoacetate by X-ray crystallography.

The pregnane steroid, (E)-aglawone, along with four known triterpenes, and a known sterol mixture were isolated from the bark of Aglaia lawii (Wight) Saldanha ex Ramamoorty (Meliaceae). The structural determination/identification was accomplished by a combination of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The relative stereochemistry of the known triterpene, 20S,24S-epoxydammarane-3alpha,25-diol acetate, was also unequivocally determined for the first time by X-ray crystallography. The isolates were not active against various human cancer cell lines.

Honulactones: new bishomoscalarane sesterterpenes from the Indonesian sponge Strepsichordaia aliena.

From the dichloromethane/2-propanol (1:1) extract of the Indonesian marine sponge Strepsichordaia aliena, twelve new 20, 24-bishomoscalarane sesterterpenes, honulactones A-L (1-12) were isolated. Molecular structures were secured by spectroscopic methods, accurate mass measurements, and X-ray analysis. Honulactones A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4) exhibit cytotoxycity against P-388, A-549, HT-29, and MEL-28 (IC(50) 1 microg/mL).

Covalent metal-organic networks: pyridines induce 2-dimensional oligomerization of (mu-OC6H4O)2Mpy2 (M = Ti, V, Zr).

Treatment of M(OiPr)4 (M = Ti, V) and [Zr(OEt)4]4 with excess 1,4-HOC6H4OH in THF afforded [M(OC6H4O)a(OC6H4OH)3.34-1.83a(OiPr)0.66-0.17a(THF)0.2]n (M = Ti, 1-Ti; V, 1-V, 0.91 < or = a < or = 1.82) and [Zr(1,4-OC6H4O)2-x(OEt)2x]n (1-Zr, x = 0.9). The combination of of 1-M (M = Ti, V, Zr) or M(OiPr)4 (M = Ti, V), excess 1,4- or 1,3-HOC6H4OH, and pyridine or 4-phenylpyridine at 100 degrees C for 1 d to 2 weeks afforded various 2-dimensional covalent metal-organic networks: [cis-M(mu 1,4-OC6H4O)2py2] infinity (2-M, M = Ti, Zr), [trans-M(mu 1,4-OC6H4O)2py2.py] infinity (3-M, M = Ti, V), solid solutions [trans-TixV1-x(mu 1,4-OC6H4O)2py2.py] infinity (3-TixV1-x, x approximately 0.4, 0.6, 0.9), [trans-M(mu 1,4-OC6H4O)2(4-Ph-py)2] infinity (4-M, M = Ti, V), [trans-Ti(mu 1,3-OC6H4O)2py2] infinity (5-Ti), and [trans-Ti(mu 1,3-OC6H4O)2(4-Ph-py)2] infinity (6-Ti). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments confirmed the pleated sheet structure of 2-Ti, the flat sheet structure of 3-Ti, and the rippled sheet structures of 4-Ti, 5-Ti, and 6-Ti. Through protolytic quenching studies and by correspondence of powder XRD patterns with known titanium species, the remaining complexes were structurally assigned. With py or 4-Ph-py present, aggregation of titanium centers is disrupted, relegating the building block to the cis- or trans-(ArO)4Tipy2 core. The sheet structure types are determined by the size of the metal and the interpenetration of the layers, which occurs primarily through the pyridine residues and inhibits intercalation chemistry.

Cryptocin, a potent tetramic acid antimycotic from the endophytic fungus Cryptosporiopsis cf. quercina.

[formula: see text] The endophytic fungus Cryptosporiopsis cf. quercina produces cryptocin in culture. Among other fungi, this unique tetramic acid displays antimycotic activity against Pyricularia oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease. Cryptocin also possesses activity against a wide variety of plant pathogenic but not human pathogenic fungi. The fine rhomboid-like crystals of cryptocin allowed structural elucidation by X-ray crystallography. The importance of cryptocin to the symbiotic relationship of C. quercina to its hosts is briefly discussed.

Chiral resolution and stereospecificity of 6-phenyl-4-phenylethynyl- 1,4-dihydropyridines as selective A(3) adenosine receptor antagonists.

Racemic 6-phenyl-4-phenylethynyl-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives have been shown to be highly selective A(3) adenosine receptor antagonists (Jiang et al. J. Med. Chem. 1997, 40, 2596-2608). Methods for resolving the optical isomers at the C4 position, involving selective crystallization or chromatographic separation of diastereomeric ester derivatives, have been developed. Optically pure glycerol and threitol derivatives were used as chiral auxiliary groups for ester formation at the 3-position, resulting in diastereomeric mixtures of dihydropyridines. Esterification of a 6-phenyl-4-phenylethynyl-1,4-dihydropyridine derivative at the 3-position with a chiral, protected glycerol moiety, (S)-(+)-2, 2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol, allowed the selective crystallization of a pure diastereomer, 9. The (1)H NMR spectrum of 9 using the lanthanide shift reagent Eu(fod)(3) indicated optical purity, and the (4S,2'R)-configuration was assigned using X-ray crystallography. The noncrystalline (4R,2'R)-isomer 10 was also isolated and shown to be 3-fold more potent than the (4S,2'R)-isomer in binding to A(3) receptors. The 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane moiety also served as a protected form of a diol, which showed selective reactivity versus a 5-ethyl ester in basic transesterification reactions. A racemic 5-carboxylic acid derivative could not be resolved through crystallization of diastereomeric salts. Enantiomers of 5-benzyl 3-ethyl 2-methyl-6-phenyl-4-phenylethynyl-1, 4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (2) were obtained via an ester derived from (4R,5R)-(-)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-threitol at the 3-position, which was resolved using HPLC, and each diastereomer was subsequently deprotected in acidic conditions. The resulting diols were exchanged for ethyl ester groups by base-catalyzed transesterification. The binding of pure enantiomers of 2 at A(3) adenosine receptors indicated a 35-fold stereoselectivity for the (4S)-isomer 21. A receptor docking hypothesis, using a previously derived human A(3) receptor model, shows the bulkier of the two ester groups (5-Bn) of 21 oriented toward the exofacial side and the 4-position phenylethynyl group situated between transmembrane helical domain TM6 and TM7.

Synthesis, biological activity, and absolute stereochemical assignment of NPS 1392: a potent and stereoselective NMDA receptor antagonist.

The synthesis, biological activity, and single crystal X-ray structure of NPS 1392, (R)-(-)-3,3-bis(3-fluorophenyl)-2-methylpropan-1-amine (3a), a potent, stereoselective antagonist of the NMDA receptor, are described. The NMDA receptor selectively bound the levo isomer (3a) over its enantiomer (3b), which prompted a rigorous absolute configuration assignment. NPS 1392 has the R configuration based on the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the hydroiodide salt of NPS 1392. This compound is a potential neuroprotective agent for use in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Discorhabdin P, a new enzyme inhibitor from a deep-water Caribbean sponge of the genus Batzella.

Discorhabdin P (1), a new discorhabdin analogue, has been isolated from a deep-water marine sponge of the genus Batzella. Discorhabdin P (1) inhibited the phosphatase activity of calcineurin and the peptidase activity of CPP32. It also showed in vitro cytotoxicity against P-388 and A-549 cell lines. The isolation and structure elucidation of discorhabdin P (1) are described.

Megathyrin B: a cytotoxic diterpene from Isodon megathyrsus.

From the leaves of Isodon megathyrsus, a novel ent-kaurene diterpene, megathyrin B, was isolated and its structure determined as 1 alpha,7 beta,11 beta,15 beta-tetrahydroxy-ent-7 alpha,20-epoxy-kaur-16-ene by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectral analysis. Additionally, its stereochemistry was unambiguously assigned by X-ray crystallography. This compound was cytotoxic to the KB and KB-V cell lines.

Total synthesis of C31-methyl ketone apocarotenoids. 3. On the structure of hopkinsiaxanthin: first total synthesis of (all-E)-(3S)- and (9Z)-(3S)-7'-apohopkinsiaxanthin.

Optically active (all-E)-(3S)-7'-apohopkinsiaxanthin, previously known as F1, and (9Z)-(3S)-7'-apohopkinsiaxanthin have been prepared by total synthesis for the first time in ca. 1% combined overall yield, including two unidentified geometrical isomers, in sixteen linear steps from (4R,6R)-actinol, (2E)-3-methyl-2-penten-4-yn-1-ol, (7-formyl-2-methyl-2,4,6-octatrienyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide, (3-formyl-2-butenyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide and methyllithium, by use of a C15 + C10 + C5 + C1 approach. By an alternative route from (2Z)-5-[((4S)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxo-1-cyclohexenyl)-3- methyl-2-penten-4-ynyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide, (7-formyl-2-methyl-2,4,6-octatrienyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide and (2E)-3-methyl-4-oxo-2-pentenal, the same target compounds were obtained in a combined overall yield of > 61%, including four unidentified geometrical isomers, over two steps, by use of a C15 + C16 approach. A hypothetical structure for hopkinsiaxanthin is discussed, based on present and previously reported spectroscopic and chemical data for (all-E)-(3S)- and (9Z)-(3S)-7'-apohopkinsiaxanthin and on data previously reported for hopkinsiaxanthin itself.

Using scalarane sesterterpenes to examine a sponge taxonomic anomaly.

A parallel study was conducted on two Indo-Pacific foliose sponges. The first specimen contains 3-hydroxy-20,22-dimethyl-20-deoxoscalarin (2), while the second contains 3-oxo-20,22-dimethyl-20-dioxoscalarin 8 (3). The physical properties as well as X-ray results confirming the structure and stereochemical features of these compounds are presented first. The difficulty we encountered in the taxonomic identification of these species is also discussed. One of our specimens is identical to material considered by different taxonomists as either Phyllospongia vermicularis or Dysidea vermicularis. The other is identified as Carteriospongia sp. We outline that the parallel chemistry of these two specimens suggests that they are closely related taxonomically.

Dinuclear (d(3)-d(3)) Diolate Complexes of Molybdenum and Tungsten. 1. Preparation and Characterization of Complexes Derived from 2,5-Dimethylhexane-2,5-diol.

Reaction of M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) (M = Mo, W) with 3 equiv of 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-diol (LH(2)) in hexane/THF produces orange crystals of M(2)(&mgr;-L(3))(2), Ia (M = Mo), Ib (M = W), in high yield (80%). Treatment of M(2)(NMe(2))(6) with excess (>8 fold) LH(2) in THF/hexane solution at -20 degrees C produces exclusively green crystals of M(2)(&mgr;-L)(eta(2)-L)(2)(HNMe(2))(2), IIa (M = Mo), IIb (M = W), in high yield (75%). Dissolving IIa and IIb in toluene at room temperature slowly produces Ia and Ib, respectively, the process being accelerated by heat (t(1/2) = 10 min at 60 degrees C). Compounds Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb were characterized by (1)H NMR, IR, melting point, and microanalysis, and Ib and IIb were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. Addition of excess HNMe(2) to a solution of Ia or Ib at -50 degrees C does not produce any IIa or IIb after 2 months, but at +25 degrees C, 40% IIa and IIb are produced with HNMe(2) after 2 days. Crystal data for Ib: W(2)(&mgr;-L)(3) at -171 degrees C, a = 12.568(2) Å, b = 12.568(3) Å, c = 37.075(8) Å, Z = 8, d(calcd) = 1.822 g/cm(3), space group I4(1)/a. The molecule Ib adopts an "ethane-like" staggered conformation with three eight-membered diolate rings spanning the W-W triple bond: W&tbd1;W = 2.3628(11) Å; W-O = 1.87 Å (average). Crystal data for compound IIb: W(2)(&mgr;-L)(eta(2)-L)(2)(HNMe(2))(2) at -170 degrees C, a = b = 20.198(3) Å, c = 17.819(3) Å, Z = 8, d(calcd) = 1.629 g/cm(3), space group P4/ncc. IIb has two essentially square planar WO(3)N units connected by a W-W triple bond, W&tbd1;W = 2.3196(12) Å, W-O = 1.95 Å (average), and W-N = 2.294(11) Å, and one bridging eight-membered diolate ring. The other two diolate ligands chelate at opposite ends of the molecule forming two seven-membered rings.

Structure of the spiroketal-macrolide ossamycin.

Ossamycin is a cytotoxic agent of undetermined structure that was originally isolated in 1965 from culture broths of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. ossamyceticus. Its overall structure and relative stereochemistry have now been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Absolute stereochemistry was established according to the previously determined configuration of its aminosaccharide constituent, ossamine. The aglycone of ossamycin possesses a 24-membered macrolide ring system onto which is incorporated both a 6,6-spiroketal and 5-membered hemiketal ring system. The overall three-dimensional structure possesses features in common with the related macrocyclic antibiotics dunaimycin, cytovaricin, and A82548A.

Topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage by adocia- and xestoquinones from the Philippine sponge Xestospongia sp.

Investigation of an orange Xestospongia sp. sponge collected at Cape Bolinao in northern Luzon, Philippines, yielded the known compounds adociaquinones A and B (1, 2) and six new metabolites, secoadociaquinones A and B (3, 4), 14-methoxyxestoquinone (5), 15-methoxyxestoquinone (6), 15-chloro-14-hydroxyxestoquinone (7), and 14-chloro-15-hydroxyxestoquinone (8). All compounds showed inhibition of topoisomerase II in catalytic DNA unwinding and/or decatenation assays. Furthermore, adociaquinone B showed activity in a KSDS assay, suggesting it inhibits the enzyme by freezing the enzyme-DNA cleavable complex. Interestingly, adociaquinone B did not displace ethidium bromide from DNA or unwind supercoiled DNA, implying it does not intercalate DNA.

Structure of the new spiroketal-macrolide A82548A.

A new member of the spiroketal-containing macrolide class of fermentation-derived natural products was isolated from mycelial extracts of Streptomyces diastatochromogenes. The principal component, A82548A, was shown to possess a 22-membered macrolide ring system onto which was incorporated both a spiroketal and a hemiketal moiety. Relative stereochemistry was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Absolute stereochemistry was determined via hydrolysis of the amino sugar glycosidically linked to the aglycone, which was identified as L-kedarosamine. The overall three-dimensional structure is closely related to that of the macrolides cytovaricin, rutamycin, and ossamycin.