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Antioxidative-activity-guided fractionation of extracts of the aerial parts of the title plant yielded the two novel abietanoid diterpenoids 11,20-dihydroxysugiol (=11,12,20-trihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one; 3) and 1,11-epoxy-6,12-dihydroxy-20-norabieta-1(10),5,8,11,13-pentaen-7-one (4) in addition to 11-hydroxysugiol (=12-O-demethylcryptojaponol=11,12-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one; 2) and the main constituent carnosolon (=6,20-epoxy-6,11,12-trihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one; 1). The structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic, chiroptic, and X-ray crystallographic evidence.

A series of new esters of lutein (1a) have been prepared with the aim of confirming the structure of lutein via an X-ray crystal-structure analysis. Although well crystallized, only one of the derivatives, the (−)-(1R)-menthyl carbonate (1i) proved to be useful for a complete structure analysis. The same derivative of zeaxanthin (2a) also allowed its crystal structure to be determined. Both analyses represent the first successful X-ray crystal structure analyses of the most important xanthophylls. At the same time, they confirm both the constitution and absolute configuration of 1a and 2a that had been deduced earlier by classical methods.

Incubation of deuteriated precursors in cultures of Flavobacterium produced specifically deuteriated carotenoids. Analysis of these led to several conclusions: i) Lycopene is a direct precursor of β,β-carotene. ii) Its terminal Me groups retain their integrity during cyclization: there is a stereospecific folding of the 1,5-diene. The Me(16,16′) groups of lycopene become the Me(16,16′) of β,β-carotene. Consequently, the folding must follow the C2(E,E) mode. iii) Incorporation of deuterium was sufficiently extensive to permit CD measurements on the isolated β,β-carotene, allowing its centers of chirality to be assigned as (1S,1′S). iv) The same chirality resulted from incorporation of [2H3]mevalonate into zeaxanthin. The syntheses of specifically deuteriated [2H3]GPP, [2H3]FPP, and [2H3]GG are described.

(6R,9′Z)-Neoxanthin: Synthesis, Physical Properties, Spectra, and Calculations of Its Conformation in Solution The synthesis of pure and crystalline (9′Z)-neoxanthin (6) is described. MnO2 Oxidation of (9Z)-C15-alcohol 7 at room temperature produces a mixture 8/9 of (9Z)- and (9E)-aldehydes. Predominant formation of the required (9Z)-aldehyde 8 is achieved by performing the oxidation at − 10°. Condensation of 8 with the mono-Li salt of the symmetrical C10-diphosphonate 10 gave the (9Z)-C25-monophosphonate 11. The Wittig-Horner condensation of 10 with the allenic C15-aldehyde 1b, under selected conditions allows the preparation of pure and crystalline (9′Z)-15,15′-didehydroneoxanthin (12) and, after subsequent semireduction, of crystalline (15Z,9′Z)-neoxanthin (13). Thermal isomerisation of a AcOEt solution of 13 at 95° yields preferentially (9′Z)-neoxanthin (6). Our crystalline sample shows the highest ϵ-values in the UV/VIS spectra ever recorded. The CD spectra display a pronounced similarity with those of corresponding violaxanthin isomers. In contrast to the (all-E)-isomer 5, (9′Z)-neoxanthin undergoes very little isomerisation when heated to its melting point. For comparison purposes, a crystalline probe of 6 is also isolated from lawn mowings. Extensive 1H-and 13C-NMR investigations at 600 MHz of a (D6)benzene solution using 2D-experiments such as COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HMBC, and HMQC techniques permit the unambiguous assignment of all signals. Force-field calculations of a model system of 6 indicate the presence of several interconverting conformers of the violaxanthin end group, 66% of which possess a pseudoequatorial and 34% a pseudoaxial OHC(3′). The torsion angle (ω1) around the C(6′)C(7′) bond, known to be of prime importance for the shape of the CD spectra, varies with values of 87° for 55% and 263° for 45% of the molecules. Therefore, the molecules clearly display a preference for the ‘syn’-position of the C(7′)C(8′) bond and the epoxy group. Unexpectedly, the double bonds of C(7′)C(8′) and C(9′)C(10′) are not coplanar. The deviation amounts to ± 20°, both in the ‘syn’ - and the ‘anti’-conformation.

Synthesis of (6R, all-E)-Neoxanthin and Related Allenic Carotenoids We present the first synthesis of enantiomerically pure neoxanthin (1) by a Wittig-Horner condensation between the ylide from the novel diethyl 12′-apo-15, 15′-didehydroviolaxanthin-12′-phosphonate (35) and the allenic C15-aldehyde 31 (Scheme 4) via the crystalline 15, 15′-didehydroneoxanthin (36; 70% yield). After partial hydrogenation of the triple bond of 36 and isomerisation of the (15Z)-intermediate 37, neoxanthin (1) was obtained in good yield. Similar syntheses gave (15Z, 9′Z)-neoxanthin (45; Scheme 5) and (9Z)-15, 15′-didehydroneoxanthin (47; Scheme 6). Comparison of the physical data of synthetic 1 with those of a freshly isolated sample of neoxanthin from the flowers of Trollius europaeus confirmed their identity. The unusually low melting point of 1 is caused by a very easy thermal isomerisation into a mixture of the neochromes 4 and 5 (Scheme 1). Such a thermal rearrangement is not observed with 15, 15′-didehydroneoxanthin (36). To explain this, we assume a zwitterionic excited state of the allenic group that induces the rearrangement of the violaxanthin end group into the furanoid epoxide (Scheme 7).

Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3.6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,5′-diol), a Novel Carotenoid from Red Paprika (Capsicum annuum) From red paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longum nigrum) cycloviolaxanthin was isolated as a minor carotenoid and, based on spectral data, assigned the symmetrical structure 8.

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Mimulaxanthin and of Its (9Z,9′Z)- and (15Z)Isomers We present the details of a synthesis of optically active, enantiomerically pure stereoisomers of mimulaxanthin (=(3s,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-6,7,6′,7′-tetradehydro-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-3,5,3′,5′-tetrol) either as free alcohols 1a and 24a or as their crystalline (t-Bu)Me2Si ethers 1b and 24b. Grasshopper ketone 2a, a presumed synthon, unexpectedly showed a very sluggish reaction with Wittig-Horner reagents. Upon heating with the ylide of ester phosphonates, an addition across the allenic bond occurred. On the contrary, a slow but normal 1,2-addition took place with the ylide from (cyanomethyl)phosphonate but, unexpectedly, with concomitant inversion at the chiral axis. So a mixture of(6R,6S,9E,9Z)-isomers 6–9 was produced {(Scheme 1). However, a fast and very clean 1,2-addition occurred with the ethynyl ketone 12 to yield the esters 13 and 14 (Scheme 2). DIBAH reduction of the separated stereoisomers gave the allenic alcohols 15 and 16 in high yield. Mild oxidation to the aldehydes 17 and 18 followed by their condensation with the acetylenic C10-bis-ylide 19 led to the stereoisomeric 15,15′-didehydromimulaxanthins 20 and 22, respectively (Schemes 3 and 4). Mimulaxanthins 1 and 24 were prepared by partial hydrogenation of 20 and 22 followed by a thermal (Z/E)-isomerization. As expected, the mimulaxanthins exhibit very weak CD curves, obviously caused by the allenic bond that insulates the chiral centers in the end group from the chromophor. On the contrary, some of the C15-allenic synthons showed not only fairly strong CD effects but also a split CD curve which, in our interpretation, results from an exciton coupling between the allene and the C(9)C(10) bond. We postulate a rotation around the C(8)C(9) bond, presumably caused by an intramolecular H-bond in 16 or by a dipol interaction between the polarized double bonds in 6, 7, 8, and 17.

Carotenoids mit 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-End Groups. Synthesis of (2S,5R,6S,2′S,5′R,6′S)-2,5:2′5′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene Mukayama's ester 6 (methyl (1S,2R,5S)-2,5-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate) was transformed in a few conventional steps into the title compound 14. Its CD curve was found to be significantly different from that of the analogous 3,6-epoxide, a fact we tentatively lake as an indication of a (weak) electronic interaction between the ring O-atom and the π-orbitals of the polyene chain.

Carotenoids with 7-Oxabicyclo[2,2.1]heptyl End Groups. Attempted Synthesis of Cycloviolaxanthin ( = (3S,5R,6S,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′- Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol) Starting from our recently described synthon (+)-24, the enantiomerically pure 3,6:4,5:3′,6′:4′,5′-tetraepoxy-4,5,4′,5′-tetrahydro-e,e-carotene (34) and its 15,15′-didehydro analogue 32 were synthesized in eleven and nine steps, respectively (Scheme 4). Chiroptical data show, in contrast to the parent e,e-carotene, a very weak interaction between the chiral centers at C(5), C(5′), C(6), C(6′), and the polyene system. Diisobutylaluminium hydride reduction of 32 lead rather than to the expected 15,15′-didehydro analogue 35 of Cycloviolaxanthin (8), to the polyenyne 36 (Scheme 5). We explain this reaction by an oxirane rearrangement leading to a cyclopropyl ether followed by a fragmentation to an aldehyd on the one side and an enol ether on the other (Scheme 6). This complex rearrangement includes a shift of the whole polyenyne chain from C(6), C(6′) to C(5), C(5′) of the original molecule.

Neoflor and 6-Epineoflor from Flowers of Trollius europaeus; Highfield 1H-NMR Spectra of (all-E)-Neoxanthin and (9′Z)-Neoxanthin Re-isolation of the very polar carotenoids from flowers of the title plant furnished two epimeric pentahydroxy compounds. Based on spectroscopical and chiroptical arguments and by chemical correlation with neoxanthin, their structures were established as 11 (proposed name neoflor) and 12 (6-epineoflor), Decoupling experiments and COSY-2D-1H-NMR spectra allowed a complete assignement of the vinyl protons of the two isomers, and furthermore, for the first time, also of those of (all-E)-neoxanthin and (9′Z)-neoxanthin.

A Further, Now Successful Search for 3′-Epilutein in Plants The 3′-epilutein, an extremely rare carotenoid, found till now in only one plant, was detected in anthers of flowers of several roses and in those of peonies.

Synthesis of (3S,4R,3′S,4′R)- and (3S,4S,3′S,4′S)-Crustaxanthins and Further Compounds with 3,4-Dihydroxy β-End-groups Starting from 3, the enantiomerically pure title compounds were synthesized in eight steps. Spectra and HPLC systems are presented that allow a distinction between these isomers.

Synthesis of Optically Pure Grasshopper Ketone and of Its Diastereoisomers and Related Compounds Starting from our previously described synthon 1, the synthesis of four enantiomerically pure grasshopper ketons (diastereoisomeric 4-(2′,4′-dihydroxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohexylidene)but-3-en-2-ons) and of their oxo derivatives was performed. Spectral and chiroptical data are presented.

Structure of the Valenciaxanthins and Valenciachromes Valenciaxanthin, a carotenoid first isolated from Californian Valencia orange juice in 1952/1954 by American scientists, was re-isolated from fresh Spanish ‘Navelinas’ and shown, by spectroscopical and chiroptical examination, to have the unexpected (9Z)-10′-apo-11′,12′-dihydroviolaxantin-10′-ol structure 6. A further, very minor component represents the (all-E)-structure 7. Therefore, the Valenciachromes are the furanoid rearrangement products of 6 and 7 and, thus, stereoisomers of the 10′-apo-11′,12′-dihydroauroxanthiiv 10′-ols 8. Valenciaxanthin represents a modification of the common cleavage of carotenoids in higher plants according to the scheme C40 C27 + C13, insofar as the reduction step not only includes the aldehyde function but also the subsequent conjugated double bond.

Synthesis of Plectranthons, Diterpenoid Phenanthrene-1,4-diones The following phenanthrene-1,4-diones have been synthesized by using the photocyclization of the corresponding highly substituted stilbenes as the key step: 3-hydroxy-5,7,8-trimethyl-2-(prop-2-enyl)phenanthrene-1,4-dione (1), (RS)-, (R)-, and (S)-2-[3-hydroxy-5,7,8-trimethyl-1,4-dioxophenanthren-2-yl]-1-methylethyl acetate (2, 31, and 32, resp.), 3-hydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-2-(prop-2-enyl)phenanthrene-1,4-dione (3), 3-hydroxy-7,8,10-tri-methyl-2-(prop-2-enyl)phenanthrene-1,4-dione (4), 5,7,8-trimethyl-2-(prop-2-enyl)phenanthrene-1,4-dione (17), and 3-hydroxy-2-methylphenanthrene-1,4-dione (42). The quinones 1 and 3 proved to be identical with the recently isolated plectranthons A and C. Compounds 2, 31, and 32 exhibited the same UV/VIS, IR, 1H-NMR and mass spectra as natural plectranthon B, but had different melting points. This might be due either to crystal modifications or to diastereoisomerism caused by the helical structure of the phenanthrene-1,4-dione skeleton. The spectral data of synthetic 4 were not compatible with those of natural plectranthon D for which structure 4 had been proposed based mainly on 1H-NMR arguments concerning the chemical shifts of HC(9) and HC(10) in 1–3. Extensive 1H-NMR investigations have now revealed that the currently stated assignments of the HC(9)/ HC(10) AB system have to be reversed for highly substituted phenanthrene-1,4-diones: in the model compounds 2-methylphenanthrene-1,4-dione (41) and 2, HC(10) resonates al lower field as expected (peri-position), whereas in the highly substituted congeners 1, 2, 3, 31, and 32, HC(9) is shifted paramagnetically, a fact which had lead to the erroneous assignment of structure 4 for natural plectranthon D.