Bommena Ravikanth

Multifidone: a novel cytotoxic lathyrane-type diterpene having an unusual six-membered A ring from Jatropha multifida.

Chemical examination of the stems of Jatropha multifida afforded a novel lathyrane-type diterpene, multifidone, having an unusual six-membered A ring. The structure of the compound was determined from detailed analysis of its 1D and 2D NMR spectra and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Its cytotoxicity was measured on four different cancerous cell lines.

Diterpenoids from Jatropha multifida

Chemical investigation on the stems of Jatropha multifida yielded two diterpenoids, multifolone and (4E)-jatrogrossidentadione acetate along with five known diterpenoids, a flavone and a coumarino-lignan. The structures of the compounds were settled by detailed analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of (4E)-jatrogrossidentadione acetate was also accomplished.

Rapid, efficient and selective conjugate addition of thiols to α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using silica supported sodium hydrogen sulfate under solvent-free conditions†

The conjugate addition of thiols to α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was carried out rapidly (within 2–5 min) and selectively in the presence of silica supported sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO4·SiO2) to form the corresponding Michael adducts in excellent yields (86–95%) at room temperature and under solvent-free conditions. †Part 157 in the series, ‘Studies on novel synthetic methodologies’

Bromination of alkenes and alkynes with (bromodimethyl)sulfonium bromide

Alkenes and alkynes were brominated efficiently in high yields with (bromodimethyl)sulfonium bromide in acetonitrile at room temperature. Alkenes produced the corresponding trans-dibromo compounds while alkynes (except phenylacetylene) afforded both the trans-dibromo products (major) and the tetrabromo derivatives (minor). However, phenylacetylene furnished solely the tetrabromo compound.