Table of Contents

Abstract: Nudibranchs are shell-less molluscs that are often brightly colored and seemingly defenseless against predation. However, these beautiful animals usually contain large amounts of diet-derived natural products that help defend them against predation. We have isolated a blue tetrapyrrole from Nembrotha kubaryana, the known nakafuran-8 and -9 from Hypselodoris infucata and spongiane-16-one from Chromodoris petechialis. These compounds have previously been found in other marine organisms, thus supporting a link between diet and natural products in the nudibranchs.

Abstract: The nucleophilic substitution of substituted o-nitrochlorobenzenes with substituted methanethiolates, catalysed with triethylamine or pyridine, has been used to prepare a series of appropriately substituted methyl-o-nitrophenylsulfides. The prepared compounds were identified by their ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra. The base catalysed ring closure of methyl 2-(methoxycarbonylmethylsulfanyl)-3,5-dinitrobenzenecarboxylate only results in an attack of carbanion on the ester group, not on a nitro group as with the other compounds prepared. The cyclisation product is methyl 3-hydroxy-5,7-dinitrobenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylate (11).

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of 4-bromo-5-[2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)benzyl]-2-methoxyphenol and 4-bromo-5-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butyl]-2-methoxyphenol are described.

Abstract: The structure and shape of the polypeptide chains of proteins are determined by the hybridized states of the atomic orbitals in the molecular chain. The calculated s ratio in the spⁿ hybrid orbitals is computed from the fractal dimension D of the tertiary structures of 43 proteins selected to cover the five structural classes of protein molecules. A brief introduction to fractal theory is given in the text. It is demonstrated that the principles dictating the folding of the local and global backbone structures are well characterized in terms of the representation given by fractal theory. Comparison of the fractal character of protein molecules with that of the ideal Gaussian chain revealed several features of these principles. It is also shown that proteins in the β type structural class are distinguished quantitatively from those in other classes with this representation. They show a higher s ratio (0.32) in sp^2.20 hybrids, rather similar to planar sp². Comparison of the proteins with a Gaussian chain is interpreted in terms of steric repulsion.

Abstract: An EtOAc extract of the stem bark of Calophyllum caledonicum (Clusiaceae) yielded thirteen new hydroxylated and/or prenylated xanthone derivatives, namely 5-hydroxy-8-methoxyxanthone (1), 3,5-dihydroxy-1,2-dimethoxyxanthone (2), 1,8-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyxanthone (3), 5,7-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone (4), 6,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-xanthone (5), 2,5,6,7,8-pentahydroxyxanthone (6), 1,3,8-trihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyxanthone (7) and according to a previously adopted nomenclature [3], caledonixanthone G-L. (8-13). The structural elucidation of 1-13 were mainly established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS spectroscopic analysis.

Abstract: Virtual screening (VS) methods have emerged as an adaptive response to massive throughput synthesis and screening technologies. Based on the structure-permeability paradigm, the Lipinski rule of five has become a standard property filtering protocol for VS. Three possible VS scenarios with respect to optimising binding affinity and pharmacokinetic properties are discussed. The parsimony principle for selecting candidate leads for further optimisation is advocated.

Abstract: Stereospecific formation of spirodioxolanes has been observed on electron transfer induced ring opening of α-epoxyketones by 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate in the presence of cyclohexanone

Abstract: A three-component reaction between an aldehyde, metallated hexamethyldisilazane and a functionalized organozinc compound proceeded smoothly in the presence of LiClO₄ in diethyl ether to afford primary amino esters in good yields.

Abstract: Three compounds were isolated from the butanol soluble fraction of the resinous exudate from the stem of Eucalyptus maculata. In addition to p-coumaric acid two new compounds were identified. They were identified as 1-O-cinnamoyl 6-O-pcoumaroylglucose and 7-methyl-aromadendrin-4′-O-(6′′-trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside by spectroscopic and chemical means.

Abstract: Wittig-Horner reagents 1a,b react with 1,2,3-indantrione (2) to give the dimeric adducts 3a and 3b, respectively. Moreover, 2 reacts with tert-butyl diethylphosphonoacetate (1c) yielding the ethylenic compound 4. On the other hand, 2 reacts with 1d to yield the phosphonate adduct 5. Mechanisms accounting for the formation of the new products are discussed and the probable structures of the products are presented based on compatible analytical and spectral data.

Abstract: a,b-Ethyl thioacrylate was difuctionalized by a tandem X-C/C=C bond formation reaction. The new system uses Ti (IV) halide as both the Lewis acidic promoter and the halogen source for the Michael-type addition onto the thioacrylate. The titanium enolate species resulting from Michael-type addition react with aldehydes followed by dehydration to afford trisubstituted olefin products. Complete geometric selectivity (>95%) and up to 72% yield have been obtained for 7 examples.

Abstract: The reaction of N-(2-cyanophenyl)benzimidoyl chloride with reagents containing a thioamide moiety, i.e. thioacetamide, benzylthiourea, symmetrical dialkyl- and diarylthioureas gave different cyclic products: 3,1-benzothiazine, 1,3,5-benzotriazocine and quinazoline. The reaction pathways of prepared compounds are discussed.