Ewa Michalik

X-Ray Diffraction and Infrared Spectroscopy of N,N- Dimethylformamide and Dimethyl Sulfoxide Solvatomorphs of Betulonic Acid

X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy measurements for the N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvatomorphs of betulonic acid (BA) were investigated. BA [3-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid, C(30)H(46)O(3)] exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities and is considered to be a promising natural agent for the treatment of various cancer diseases. BA as a noncrystalline substance was obtained by oxidation of betulin. Crystal structures and the spectral data allowed analysis of hydrogen bonding (H-bonding), molecular conformation, and crystal packing differences in the solvatomorphs. Crystals of BA solvates were grown from the DMF-acetone (1:10, v/v) and DMSO-water (9:1, v/v) solutions. BA-DMF (1:1) solvate crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1) space group, Z = 2. The unit cell parameters are as follows: cell lengths a = 13.2458(5) Å, b = 6.6501(2) Å, c = 17.9766(7) Å, and β = 110.513(4)°. BA-DMSO (1:1) solvate crystallizes in the orthorhombic P2(1)2(1)2(1) (Z = 4) space group with the following unit cell parameters: a = 6.6484(4) Å, b = 13.3279(8) Å, and c = 32.6821(19) Å. Conformational analysis of the six-membered rings, cyclopentane ring, and isopropenyl group showed differences in comparison with other betulin derivatives examined earlier. For both solvates, the intermolecular packing arrangement was governed mainly by H-bonds. The shortest H-bonds with D···A distances of 2.604 and 2.657 Å, and almost linear DH···A connection occurred between OH of carboxylic group of BA and oxygen atoms from O=C and O=S groups of DMF and DMSO, respectively.

Lup-20(29)-en-28-ol-3-one (betulone)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C30H48O2, contains two independent molecules, the main difference between them being that the isopropenyl group is rotated by approximately 180°. In each molecule, the fused six-membered rings have chair–chair–chair–chair conformations and the cyclopentane ring adopts an envelope conformation with the C atom bearing the hydroxymethyl group as the flap. All ring junctions are trans-fused. With the exception of one of the methyl groups adjacent to the C=O group, all the methyl groups are in axial positions. The isopropenyl group is equatorial and the hydroxymethyl group is in an axial orientation. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯O interactions link the molecules into chains along [010]. Weak intramolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are also observed but the hydroxy groups are not involved in hydrogen bonds.

Polymorphic forms of lupane triterpenoid betulonic aldehyde (betulonal)

The lupane triterpenoid betulonic aldehyde [also known as betulonal; systematic name: lup-20(29)-en-28-al-3-one, C30H46O2] is a product of betulin oxidation. Crystals were obtained from hexane [form (I)] and dimethyl sulfoxide [form (II)] solutions. Forms (I) and (II) are both orthorhombic. The molecular geometric parameters in the two forms are similar, but the structures are different with respect to the crystal packing. Polymorph (I) contains two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, while polymorph (II) contains only one molecule, which has a disordered aldehyde group [the disorder ratio is 0.769 (4):0.231 (4)]. In each molecule, the six-membered rings have chair conformations, whereas the cyclopentane ring in each molecule adopts an envelope conformation. All the rings in the lupane nucleus are trans-fused. The extended structures of both polymorphs are stabilized by weak intermolecular C-H...O and van der Waals interactions. Weak intramolecular C-H...O interactions are also observed.