Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of [19,20-13C]-17α-Ethinylestradiol

13C2-17α-ethinylestradiol (13C2-EE2) was synthesized from estrone and 13C2-C2H2-gas to measure the metabolic clearance rate and the plasma concentration of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in tall girls, who are treated with high dosages of this estrogen. Interesting characteristics determined by (i) MS: the molecular ion m/z 298.183 is the only labelled ion in the spectrum, and by (ii)1H-NMR δ(ppm) 2.96 (dd, 1J(13C-H)=249 Hz, 2J(13C-H)=49.6 Hz; 1H; H20) and (iii) 13C-NMR δ 88.8(dd, 1J(13C-13C)=166 Hz, 2J(13C-H20)=49.8 Hz; C19); 80.2 (dd, 1J(13C17-13C19)= 73 Hz, 2J(13C17-13C20)=12.3 Hz; C17) and 74.6 (dd, 1J(13C-13C)=166 Hz, 1J(13C-H)= 249 Hz; C20) confirm the synthesis and structure of 13C2-EE2.

Methyl valerenate, a new sesquiterpenoid in the essential oil from underground parts of Valeriana officinalis L. s.l.

A new valerenane sesquiterpenoid, methyl valerenate (1), was found in the essential oil from underground parts of Valeriana officinalis L. s.l. Spectral data of methyl valerenate, which was synthesized from valerenic acid (2), are given in this paper

Isolation of two cytotoxic diterpenes from the fern Pteris multifida

From aerial parts of the fern Pteris multifida Poir. (Polypodiaceae) two diterpenes, ent-kaurane-2 beta,16 alpha-diol and ent-kaur-16-ene-2 beta,15 alpha-diol, were isolated by repeated column chromatography using silica gel and silica gel impregnated with silver nitrate. The structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. Both compounds showed a moderate cytotoxicity to Ehrlich ascites tumour cells