ACD/Labs Blog

Zhao and co-workers isolated two new Securinega alkaloids (virosaines A and B) with an unprecedented skeleton and elucidated their structures. We used the spectroscopic data presented in by the authors to establish the structure of Virosaine A (molecular formula C₁₂H₁₃NO₄) which had been confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

Meng et al. investigated potentially biologically active substances from the chemical constituents of the stems of S. glaucescens. As a result, a novel triterpenoid possessing an unusual 6/7/9-fused tricyclic ring system was obtained, which was designated as Schiglautone A (molecular formula C₃₀H₄₆O₆).

While studying the herb Aconitum barbatum Pers. var. puberulum Ledeb., Mu et al isolated six new C18-diterpenoid alkaloids including Puberunine (molecular formula C₂₃H₃₅NO₇) that possesses an unusual rearranged 7-membered ring. This structural feature is unprecedented in the field of diterpenoid alkaloids.

Studies aimed at the discovery of trace alkaloids in S. nux-vomica led Fu and co-workers to the isolation of Strynuxlines A and B, two novel alkaloids possessing an unprecedented skeleton with a 6/5/9/6/7/6 hexacyclic ring system. Here we will describe how Strynuxlines A (molecular formula C₂₃H₂₄N₂O₅) could be identified with the assistance of a CASE-based approach using ACD/Structure Elucidator Suite.

In search for bioactive compounds from the mushroom Stropharia rugosoannulata, Wu et al discovered four novel steroids named strophasterols A, B, C, and D which contained a very unique and unprecedented carbon skeleton. Here we will describe the computerized structure determination of Strophasterol A (molecular formula C₂₈H₄₄O₄).

Here we describe a total synthesis of a hypothetical alternative structure and its spectroscopic confirmation, representing a huge amount of work done by the authors to disprove the original structure. We used their example to ask what solution would be obtained if the authors used ACD/Structure Elucidator Suite for processing the spectroscopic data of the unknown.

Tang et al carried out a phytochemical investigation on the stems of T. flavidus collected in China. They reported the identification of five degraded diterpenoids, including the tetranorditerpenoid dimers trigoflavidols A and B. Spectroscopic data acquired for Trigoflavidol A (molecular formula C₃₅H₃₂O₁₀), possessing a rearrangement skeleton with a spiroketal core moiety, was used for challenging ACD/Structure Elucidator Suite.

In searching for novel antibiotics, Thongbai et al have focused on tropical basidiomycetes from Asia. The research led to the isolation of unprecedented antimicrobial metabolite Gymnopalynes A (molecular formula C₁₂H₇O₂Cl). Though the molecule is small and relatively simple, elucidation of its structure is not straightforward. With this in mind we used this problem to illustrate some nuances associated with utilization of ACD/Structure Elucidation.