Search

Thrombotic disorders remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity, despite the fact that anti-platelet therapies and vascular implants are successfully used today. As life expectancy is increasing in western societies, the specific knowledge about processes leading to thrombosis in elderly is essential for an adequate therapeutic management of platelet dysfunction and for tailoring blood contacting implants. This study addresses the limited available data on platelet function in apparently healthy subjects in relation to age, particularly in view of subjects of old age (80-98 years). Apparently healthy subjects between 20 and 98 years were included in this study. Platelet function was assessed by light transmission aggregometry and comprised experiments on spontaneous as well as ristocetin-, ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The data of this study revealed a non-linear increase in the maximum spontaneous platelet aggregation (from 3.3% +/- 3.3% to 10.9% +/- 5.9%). The maximum induced aggregation decreased with age for ristocetin (from 85.8% +/- 7.2% to 75.0% +/- 7.8%), ADP (from 88.5% +/- 4.6% to 64.8% +/- 7.3%) and collagen (from 89.5% +/- 3.0% to 64.0% +/- 4.0%) in a non-linear manner (linear regression analysis). These observations indicate that during aging, circulating platelets become increasingly activated but lose their full aggregatory potential, a phenomenon that was earlier termed "platelet exhaustion". In this study we extended the limited existing data for spontaneous and induced platelet aggregation of apparently healthy donors above the age of 75 years. The presented data indicate that the extrapolation of data from a middle age group does not necessarily predict platelet function in apparently healthy subjects of old age. It emphasizes the need for respective studies to improve our understanding of thrombotic processes in elderly humans.

Pyrrole (2a) and 2,5-dimethylpyrrole (2b) react with the dialkoxycarbenium tetrafluoroborates 1a-1c under kinetic control to yield the corresponding acylpyrrole derivatives. 5H-Dibenz[b,f]azepine (9a) and the 10,11-dihydro derivative 9b react only with the most electrophilic of the series of electrophiles tested, namely, diethoxycarbenium tetrafluoroborate (1a), to furnish the corresponding formyl derivatives. Similarly, in arene chemistry, the highly electron-rich N,N-dimethylaniline (13a) and 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene (13b) are formylated by reaction with 1a.

Genetic polymorphisms in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene-675 4G/5G (PAI-1 4G/5G) are claimed to con- tribute to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Inherited thrombophilia, on the other hand, is associated with the occurrence of spontaneous abortions. The objective of this study was, to explore the significance of genetic polymorphisms of PAI-1 4G/5G with particular emphasis on 4G alleles in pregnant women suffering from venous thromboembolism or early spon- taneous abortion, respectively. Therefore genetic PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms were studied in 108 pregnant females suffering from venous thromboembolism (n = 69) or from spontaneous abortion (

Introduction: To reduce intraoperative blood loss in liver resections surgical bleeding control is often performed by a complete inflow obstruction of the liver called Pringle manoeuvre leading to a portal venous stasis. Platelet aggregability may be affected by this circulatory stasis. Materials and methods: A study population of 11 patients (37-67 years old, 7 females and 4 males) with hepatic tumours underwent elective liver resection. Pringle manoeuvre of up to 50 min duration was used in 4 patients. The other 7 patients were operated using selective vascular clamping. Platelets were aggregated before and after liver resection with adenosine diphosphate, collagen and ristocetin (according to Born). Results: Mean maximal amplitudes of platelet aggregation were comparable before and after liver resection. Statistic analysis did not detect a significant difference between the values before and after liver resection as well as between Pringle manoeuvre and selective vascular clamping. Conclusion: Induced platelet aggregability is not affected by the method of surgical bleeding control used in liver resection. Platelet aggregability seems to be resistant even to portal venous stasis of up to 50 min during Pringle manoeuvre.

Some new structural variants of the alkaloid carbazoquinocin C were synthesized in a few steps with good to excellent yields. The key step comprises a cyclisation reaction of appropriate 2-vinylindoles with oxalyl chloride. The carbazole-3,4-quinones are able to trap oxygen-centred radicals. In some biological/biochemical assays some of these compounds exhibit extraordinary results including inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 and 5-lipoxygenase in the μM-range. Moreover some of the carbazoquinocin C-variants inhibit significant oxidative damage of cellular DNA in nM-range.

Continuing our studies on combilexines, compounds consisting of a DNA intercalator linked to a minor groove ligand, new results are presented. The synthesis of a series of new propylamine oligopyrrole carboxamides closely related to netropsin and distamycin A, linked to a heterocyclic or anthraquinone system is reported. The cytotoxic activity in vitro, the DNA binding characteristics and the inhibition of the topoisomerase I of the compounds were studied in order to explain the biological mechanism of action of these new potential combilexines. Some of the synthesised compounds showed cytotoxic activity against human tumour cell lines, as well as DNA binding and topoisomerase I inhibiting properties.

Syntheses of novel bis(tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]carbazoles) by a [4+2]cycloaddition reaction are described. By variation of dienophiles bis(tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]carbazoles) of varying aliphatic spacer length could be obtained in high yields. These conformationally highly flexible molecules represent an interesting class of compounds, believed to have an affinity towards DNA, as potential DNA ligands.

Some new bis(tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]carbazoles) were synthesized by Diels–Alder reactions of in-situ generated indole-2,3-quinodimethanes with a variety of bismaleimides as dienophiles and also by reaction of dianilines with a succinic acid anhydride group incorporated into a biscarbazole. In a special reaction a spermine linker was introduced. The new biscarbazoles represent potential DNA ligands for the development of new antitumor active drugs.

Functionally active antithrombin can be quantified by chromogenic substrate assays utilizing the heparin cofactor activity of antithrombin and the inhibition rates of thrombin or of activated factor X (FXa). Thrombin-based assays but not FXa-based assays may overestimate the antithrombin activity due to their sensitivity toward heparin cofactor II. We focused on the question whether an overestimation of antithrombin activity by thrombin-based assays involves the risk of misdiagnosing antithrombin-deficient individuals as being non-deficient. We determined antithrombin using two thrombin-based assays and one FXa-based assay in 27 plasma samples from patients with acquired antithrombin deficiency spiked with lepirudin, in antithrombin-deficient plasma and in mixtures of antithrombin-deficient plasma and normal plasma. We also measured antithrombin in healthy subjects, in patients with inherited and acquired antithrombin deficiency and in patients under high-dose heparin treatment. At therapeutic final concentrations of lepirudin, antithrombin activities were considerably overestimated by the thrombin-based assays but not by the FXa-based assay. The residual antithrombin activities in antithrombin-deficient plasma determined by the thrombin-based assays were markedly higher than the corresponding values obtained with the FXa-based assay. The thrombin-based assays also overestimated antithrombin activity in patients under high-dose heparin. However, the degree of overestimation in the range between 50 and 100 IU/dl was too low to misidentify individuals with inherited or acquired antithrombin deficiency as normal. We conclude that functionally active antithrombin can be reliably determined using FXa-based chromogenic substrate assays in all settings examined. Thrombin-based assays must not be used in patients under treatment with hirudin or other direct thrombin inhibitors.

SummaryInitially, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) was only characterized by its in vitro molecular weight (MW). This is not sufficient because HES is degraded in vivo. One relevant parameter that predicts the rate of enzymatic breakdown is the degree of substitution, a measure of the average number of hydroxyethyl groups per glucose unit. The higher this degree of substitution, the slower the break-down. In addition, because the glucose units can be substituted at carbon 2,3 and 6, different substitution patterns are possible. They are classified by their C2/C6 hydroxyethylation ratio. A higher C2/C6 ratio results in less metabolism of the starch in vivo and results in a larger in vivo MW. This in turn affects therapy, because the larger the in vivo MW, the longer is the duration of the volume effect of HES.Of particular importance is the fact that HES with a high in vivo MW affects factor VIII/von Willebrand factor which can lead to an acquired von Willebrand syndrome. During a 10-day volume therapy with a medium-MW HES 200, a form that is difficult to metabolize, we observed an 80% drop in factor VIII/von Willebrand factor. Therapy with a medium-MW HES 200, a form that is easily degraded, and therapy with a low-MW HES 70 did not result in a relevant decline of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor.This explains why hemorrhagic complications have been observed repeatedly in the United States after therapy with HES infusions, some of them lethal. In the United States high-MW HES 480 which is difficult to degrade is most frequently used and results in a larger in vivo MW and subsequent decrease in factor VIII/von Willebrand factor levels. In Europe, medium-MW HES 200 that is easily degraded and low-MW HES 70 are preferred. In the future, HES should be characterized by the in vivo, not the in vitro MW.

The structures of the title compounds, C 18 H 17 NO 5 and C 21 H 14 N 2 O 3 .CH 4 O, were determined. The crystal structure of the first shows significant variations between its two independent molecules; that of the second is characterized by hydrogen bonds to the co-crystallized methanol.

Some new acylation and cyclization reactions of 2,2′-bisindolyls 1, 2 are described. The product patterns constitute acyl derivatives 3, 4, 5 and an aldehyde 7, indolo[2,3-a]carbazoles 6, 14, 17, 19, 20 and cyclopentadiindoles 22 and 24. In the reaction with aryne or diazotated anthranilic acid, a 3-benzoylindole derivative 9 and phenylindolyl azo dye 10 are formed. N-methylmaleimide reacts with 2,2′-bisindolyl 2 via Michael type addition, dehydrogenation and cyclization to several functionalized or anellated indole derivatives 11, 12, 13 and 14, respectively.

BACKGROUND: After the application of high volumes of high-molecular- weight starch (hetastarch), bleeding complications have repeatedly been observed. Later studies showed that the application of medium-molecular- weight starch led to far fewer disturbances of the blood coagulation system. However, the relationships among the degree of hydroxyethyl substitution, the rate of degradation, and the average in vivo molecular weight have not been investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A 10-day hemodilution treatment (n = 20) was carried out using two medium-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starches (HES) with a degree of hydroxyethyl substitution of 0.5 and 0.62, respectively (10% HES 200 was used for a substitution of 0.5 and 6% HES 200 for a substitution of 0.62). After a loading dose of 500 mL was administered, 1000 mL of HES was infused daily for 4 days, and then 500 mL was infused daily for 6 days. RESULTS: The more highly substituted starch was broken down more slowly and eliminated renally. This resulted in a higher intravascular molecular weight than for the less highly substituted HES (120 vs. 84 kDa) and a greater increase in serum concentration (20.3 vs. 9.0 mg/mL). Initially, the more highly substituted 6-percent HES had a lesser effect on plasma volume (p < 0.01). Because of HES accumulation, there was no longer a significant difference between the starches by the end of treatment, even though a higher dose of the 10-percent low- substitution starch was infused. Six-percent HES caused an increase in plasma viscosity (+9%, p < 0.01) that was due to an accumulation of macromolecules. Ten-percent HES 200/0.5 had no effect on the coagulation system beyond the dilution effect. Six-percent HES, on the other hand, led to an acquired von Willebrand syndrome during the course of the 10-day therapy. Factor VIII function was reduced by 72.2 percent, von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor by 61.3 percent, and von Willebrand factor antigen by 64 percent (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: It is the intravascular and not the initial (in vitro) molecular weight that determines the properties of HES. Especially after repeated administration, a high degree of hydroxyethyl substitution leads to an accumulation of macromolecules that affect hemorrheologic measures and the coagulation system just as adversely as high-molecular-weight starch does. Depending on the degree of substitution, medium-molecular- weight starches can have widely differing properties.

Intercalators are molecules capable of sliding between DNA base pairs without breaking up the hydrogen bonds between the DNA bases. On the basis of molecular mechanics calculations structural, models of B-DNA tetranucleotide intercalation complexes of some cytostatic active 9-aminoacridines and of a [d, e]-anellated isoquinoline derivative are presented. The drug complexes are stabilized by energetically favouredvan der Waals interactions and by selective hydrogen bonds between the side chains of the drugs and the DNA bases. Semiempirical quantum chemistry calculations revealed that the chromophoric system of the intercalators is able to form π,π-charge-transfer interactions with the purine bases of the base paired deoxytetranucleotides. The theoretical findings are of interest for a more specific drug design of cytostatically active agents.

New results for the reactions of donor- and acceptor-substituted 3-vinylindoles with aryne and structurally related 3,4-pyridyne are described. Aryne reacts in Diels–Alder reactions as a dienophile to give rise to a variety of [a]anellated carbazoles in a one-step procedure. Additionally, aryne is involved in an ene or conjugate addition reaction with the initially formed [4 + 2]cycloadduct. Reaction of methyl (E)-3-(N-methylindol-3-yl)propenoate 6 in the presence of air gives besides the expected Diels–Alder product a new benzoxepino[b]indole derivative 14. The Diels–Alder reactions of the 3-vinylindoles with in situ generated 3,4-pyridyne are difficult to control and no cycloadducts with the required purity could be isolated.

The structures of the title compounds, C 24 H 26 N 2 and C 34 H 30 N 2 O 4 S 2 , have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The sterically more demanding phenylsulfonyl group of the second compound gives rise to significant differences, for example, in bond lengths and angles, in comparison with the first compound.

Two crystal modifications of C 22 H 18 N 2 O 2 were investigated. Crystal data : M r = 342.34, λ(Cu Kα) = 1.5418 A, T = 298 K ; crystal (I) : monoclinic, C2/c, a = 14.9853 (5), b = 10.1607 (5), c = 23.729 (2) A, β = 108.680 (4)°, V = 3422.7 (3) A 3 , Z = 8, D x = 1.333 g cm -3 , μ = 6.04 cm -1 , F(000) = 1440.0, R = 0.069, wR = 0.081 for 2628 observed unique reflections ; crystal (II) : monoclinic, C2/c, a = 14.977 (9), b = 10.177 (1), c = 23.663 (2) A, β = 108.17 (2)°, V = 3426 (2) A 3 , Z = 8, D x = 1.333 g cm -3 , μ = 6.04 cm -1 , F(000) = 1440.0, R = 0.076, wR = 0.084 for 1984 observed unique reflections. The hydrogen-bonded molecules of crystals (I) and (II) are differently placed in the (slightly but significantly different) unit cells. Calculations with the program packages SYBYL and CERIUS provide e.g. information about the strong hydrogen bonding and the differences between the unit cells

2,2′-Bis(N-methylindolyl) 1 reacts with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate to furnish the 3-dimethyl maleoyl-substituted 2,2′-bisindolyl 2. Compound 2 cyclizes under aluminum trichloride catalysis according to a polar process to give a cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]diindole derivative 4. Reaction of compound 4 with benzyl-amine yields the spiro derivative 5. Photochemically-induced 1,6-electrocyclization of compound 2 gives rise to the indolo[2,3-a]carbazole 6 directly, which is readily transformed to the pyrrolo-annelated carbazole 7 by treatment with benzylamine.

(5R,6S,7R,9R,13S,14R)-7-Chloro-7-cyano-4,5-epoxy-3,6-dimethoxy-N-methyl-6,14-ethenoisomorphinane, (1), C 22 H 23 ClN 2 O 3 , and 1-methoxy-5,5,6,6-tetracyanobicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene, (2), C 13 H 10 N 4 O, which had not been convincingly characterized before by any other analytical method due to possible existence of several isomers, were obtained from the Diels-Alder reactions of (-)-thebaine [for compound (1)] and 1-methoxy-1,3-cyclohexadiene [for compound (2)]. The X-ray structural results provided reliable information on the stereochemical course of Diels-Alder reactions of (-)-thebaine and 1-methoxy-1,3-cyclohexadiene with α-chloroacrylnitrile and tetracyanoethene, respectively

SummaryThe plasma clearance of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) depends on the initial molecular weight and the degree of substitution. So far, little attention has been paid to the clinical relevance of the C2/C6 substitution ratio of hydroxyethyl starch.10 patients with cerebrovascular circulatory disturbance received hemodilution therapy for 10 days, consisting of 10% HES 200/0.5 (mean molecular weight 200 kD, degree of substitution 0.5) with a C2/C6 ratio of 13.4. A second group of 10 patients received a starch solution with identical initial molecular weight and degree of substitution but with a C2/C6 ratio of 5.7.After the administration of a single dose, no significant differences between the two groups were observed. After repeated administration, significant differences could be detected in hemorheology, coagulation and elimination (pThe higher C2/C6 ratio of HES 200/0.5/13.4 slows down enzymatic degradation. After repeated administration of this starch, large molecules accumulate which are inefficiently degraded. The same effect has been observed after therapy with highly-substituted HES. This accumulation of large molecules leads to a beneficial longer lasting volume effect. The disadvantages include an increase in plasma viscosity and coagulation disturbances, which cannot be explained with the respective dilution effect alone. For these reasons, the C2/C6 ratio is of clinical relevance and should be included in the product labeling in the future.

Indolyl enol ethers, generated from the alkoxy(indolyl)carbenium tetra- fluoroborates (1) by treatment with sodium hydride, can be trapped with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate or N-phenylmaleimide to furnish the se- lectively functionalized carbazoles (3), (4), (5), (9), (10), and (13). In addition, the biaryl derivatives (6) and (11) are produced by a ring- opening reaction of the primarily formed Diels-Alder adduct. In the case of the biaryl derivative (6), an X-ray crystal structure analysis yields valuable information on constitutions and configurations in the biaryl series. The phenomenon of atropisomerism is discussed for this compound

A strategy is described for the synthesis of functionalized and cyclized 2,2′-bisindolyl derivatives related to several basic systems of natural products. The starting 2,2′-bis(N-methylindolyl) (8) reacts with a variety of electrophiles and electrophilic dienophiles to furnish the novel, functionalized and cyclized bisindolyl derivatives 9–16. In addition, some reactivity and structural aspects are discussed; an X-ray crystallographic analysis of the 2,2′-bisindolyl 8 provided valuable information for the conformational analyses.

Diels-Alder reactions of (-)-thebaine (1) as an electron-rich diene system with acceptorsubstituted ethenes gave rise to the cycloadducts 2, 3, and 4 in high regio- and stereoselectivities. Structural analyses were performed by high resolution NMR spectroscopy and, for the first time in the thebaine cycloadduct series, by X-ray crystallographic structural analyses of the compounds 2, 3a, and 3b. In the reaction of (-)-thebaine (1) with an in situ generated aryne, the anellated azocine derivative 5 was formed.

The 3-O-methylated estrogen derivatives 1a-d and α-estradiol (1e) underwent sulfuric acid-catalysed transformations to furnish the steroids 2–6. The processes involved in the reaction sequence are regioselective sulfonation and, above all, the Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of the methyl group at C-13. With the objective of obtaining further information on the course of the Kober colour reaction of estrogens, some UV/VIS and ESR spectroscopic investigations were also carried out. Protonenkatalysierte Transformationen von Estrogen-Derivaten: Neue Ergebnisse und einige mechanistische Aspekte der Kober-Farbreaktion Die O-methylierten Estrogenderivate 1a-d und α-Estradiol (1e) reagieren in Schwefelsaure zu den Steroiden 2–6. Die beobachteten Transformationen sind auf Sulfonierung und in erster Linie auf Wagner-Meerwein-Umlagerung der C-18-Methylgruppe zuruckzufuhren. Einzelheiten zum Verlauf der Kober-Farbreaktion auf Estrogene werden durch UV/VIS- und ESR-Spektren aufgezeigt.

When subjected to proton catalysis, the α-alkynylestradiol methyl ethers 1a and 1b furnish the Rupe or Meyer-Schuster rearrangement products 2, 4, and 5a. In the presence of sulfuric acid, α-ethynylestradiol 3-methyl ether (1a) is converted into the D-homosteroid 3a. The use of deuterated acids gives rise to the formation of the corresponding deuterated steroids 2b, 2c, 3b, and 5b. Some mechanistic implications of these results are also discussed.

Some novel Diels-Alder reactions of the opium alkaloid (−)-thebaine (1) as an electron-rich diene and a reinvestigation of its reactions with cyclic and acyclic dienophiles are described. The π-facial selectivity has been studied on the basis of structural analyses of the cycloadducts. Some related results on [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 1-methoxy-1,3-cyclohexadiene (11) are also reported.

1-Alkylpyrano[3,4-b]indol-3-ones3 react via a Diels-Alder step with an aryne or N-phenylmaleimide to furnish the new [b]annellated carbazoles4–10 in a one-pot process. In an analogous procedure, the in situ generated N-benzoylindole-2,3-quinodimethane (13) reacted with quinones to furnish the dioxocarbazoles14–16. Compounds4–8 and14–16 with a coplanar skeleton are members of a class of potential DNA intercalators, as has been shown for5 and8 by X-ray structural analysis. On the basis of the geometries determined by X-ray crystallography, the intercalative binding of these molecules with a Watson-Crick mini-helix was predicted by molecular modeling methods.

The indolo-2,3-quinodimethane (5), generated from 2,3-bis(bromomethyl)indole (4), was trapped with unsymmetrical carbodienophiles or N, N′-p-phenylenedimaleimide to furnish the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazoles (6–9). [4 + 2]-Cycloaddition of 5 with tetracyanoethylene gave rise to the tetracyanocarbazole (10) and a subsequent product 11a or 11b. The Diels-Alder reaction of 5 with divinyl sulfone was regiospecific within the detection limits of HPLC analysis. Similarly, the reaction of 5 with N, N′-p-phenylenedimaleimide yielded solely the stereoisomer 9.

The Diels-Alder reactions of the 2-vinylindoles 1a-1d, which are now readily accessible, with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and tetracyanoethylene give rise to the novel 1,2-dihydro- and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazoles 2, 4, and 5 as well as the fully aromatized carbazoles 3. With regard to the product spectrum, the mechanistic rationale comprises a Diels-Alder step, formal 1,3-hydrogen shift, ene reaction, and dehydrogenation. Conformational aspects of the 1,2-dihydrocarbazoles 2b and 2c are also discussed.

The mechanism of the formation of 1-methyl-3H,9H-pyrano[3,4-b]indol-3-one (4) from the corresponding 3-indolacetic acid 1 is discussed. The suggested mechanism is substantiated by the isolation of a stable intermediate 2 and its transformations in the presence of acetic anhydride and/or Lewis acids.

In the presence of highly activated molecular sieves (4 A), the Diels-Alder reactivity of in situ generated N-benzoylindole-2,3-quinodimethane is enhanced considerably. Reactions of this species with a variety of carbodienophiles give rise to novel functionalized and [b]annelated carbazole derivatives in a one-pot procedure

Reactions of 3-(1-cyclohexenyl)-1,2-dimethylindole (1a) and the 1,2-dihydrocarbazole 1b with some carbo- and heterodienophiles are described. Thus, compound 1a reacts to give ene, Michael-type, and Diels-Alder adducts, depending on the dienophile and reaction conditions. The 3-vinylindole 1b reacts with 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione or N-phenylmaleimide in a dehydrogenative reaction to yield the fully aromatized carbazole 8.

The readily available methylated pyrano[3,4-b]indol-3-ones 1a and 1b were hydrolyzed to furnish the 2-acetylindol-3-alkanoic acids 2 and 4. Compound 2 was easily transformed selectively to 2-acetyl-3-methylindole (3, salvadoricine). Substrate 1b reacts with molecular oxygen from the air only in the presence of a catalyst to give 2,3-diacetylindole (5) while 1a reacts with nitrosobenzene via a proposed Diels-Alder step to yield 2-acetylindole-3-carbaldehyde (6). The latter product can also be obtained in low yield from the reaction of 1a with molecular oxygen from the air.

The indolo-2,3-quinodimethane (5), generated from 2,3-bis(bromomethyl)indole (4), was trapped with unsymmetrical carbodienophiles or N, N′-p-phenylenedimaleimide to furnish the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazoles (6–9). [4 + 2]-Cycloaddition of 5 with tetracyanoethylene gave rise to the tetracyanocarbazole (10) and a subsequent product 11a or 11b. The Diels-Alder reaction of 5 with divinyl sulfone was regiospecific within the detection limits of HPLC analysis. Similarly, the reaction of 5 with N, N′-p-phenylenedimaleimide yielded solely the stereoisomer 9.

Diels-Alder reactions of (-)-thebaine (1) as an electron-rich diene system with acceptorsubstituted ethenes gave rise to the cycloadducts 2, 3, and 4 in high regio- and stereoselectivities. Structural analyses were performed by high resolution NMR spectroscopy and, for the first time in the thebaine cycloadduct series, by X-ray crystallographic structural analyses of the compounds 2, 3a, and 3b. In the reaction of (-)-thebaine (1) with an in situ generated aryne, the anellated azocine derivative 5 was formed

Some novel Diels-Alder reactions of the opium alkaloid (−)-thebaine (1) as an electron-rich diene and a reinvestigation of its reactions with cyclic and acyclic dienophiles are described. The π-facial selectivity has been studied on the basis of structural analyses of the cycloadducts. Some related results on [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 1-methoxy-1,3-cyclohexadiene (11) are also reported.

When subjected to proton catalysis, the α-alkynylestradiol methyl ethers 1a and 1b furnish the Rupe or Meyer-Schuster rearrangement products 2, 4, and 5a. In the presence of sulfuric acid, α-ethynylestradiol 3-methyl ether (1a) is converted into the D-homosteroid 3a. The use of deuterated acids gives rise to the formation of the corresponding deuterated steroids 2b, 2c, 3b, and 5b. Some mechanistic implications of these results are also discussed.

Indolyl enol ethers, generated from the alkoxy(indolyl)carbenium tetra- fluoroborates (1) by treatment with sodium hydride, can be trapped with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate or N-phenylmaleimide to furnish the se- lectively functionalized carbazoles (3), (4), (5), (9), (10), and (13). In addition, the biaryl derivatives (6) and (11) are produced by a ring- opening reaction of the primarily formed Diels-Alder adduct. In the case of the biaryl derivative (6), an X-ray crystal structure analysis yields valuable information on constitutions and configurations in the biaryl series. The phenomenon of atropisomerism is discussed for this compound

The first syntheses of chiral 3- and 2-vinylindoles bearing sulfoxide or (-)-menthyloxy functional groups at the β-vinyl positions by way of procedures based on the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and Wittig reactions, respectively, are described. Some Diels-Alder reactions demonstrating the 4π-reactivity of these compounds are reported.

2,2′-Bis(N-methylindolyl) 1 reacts with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate to furnish the 3-dimethyl maleoyl-substituted 2,2′-bisindolyl 2. Compound 2 cyclizes under aluminum trichloride catalysis according to a polar process to give a cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]diindole derivative 4. Reaction of compound 4 with benzyl-amine yields the spiro derivative 5. Photochemically-induced 1,6-electrocyclization of compound 2 gives rise to the indolo[2,3-a]carbazole 6 directly, which is readily transformed to the pyrrolo-annelated carbazole 7 by treatment with benzylamine.

Some new acylation and cyclization reactions of 2,2′-bisindolyls 1, 2 are described. The product patterns constitute acyl derivatives 3, 4, 5 and an aldehyde 7, indolo[2,3-a]carbazoles 6, 14, 17, 19, 20 and cyclopentadiindoles 22 and 24. In the reaction with aryne or diazotated anthranilic acid, a 3-benzoylindole derivative 9 and phenylindolyl azo dye 10 are formed. N-methylmaleimide reacts with 2,2′-bisindolyl 2 via Michael type addition, dehydrogenation and cyclization to several functionalized or anellated indole derivatives 11, 12, 13 and 14, respectively.