Absolute stereochemistry of calopiptin

Abstract

The α,α?-diaryl-β,β-dimethyltetrahydrofurenoid lignan, calopiptin, from Piptocalyx moorei has been converted by demethylenation and methylation into veraguensin, now also isolated from Trimenia papuana (both species, family Trimeniaceae). Ozonolysis yields (-)-2,3-dimethylsuocinic acid which establishes the absolute trans configuration of the methyl groups. The benzylic proton giving a signal at low field from the other in the p.m.r, spectrum is assigned as trans to the adjacent methyl group by shielding and spin-decoupling arguments. The signal moves to even lower field on nitration of one of the aryl groups, identified as 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl by competitive nitration experiments and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Calopiptin is 2R-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3S,4S-dimethyl-5S-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran.