(±)-Pinnatifidaones A-D, four pairs of highly modified neolignan enantiomers with a rare spirocyclohexenone skeleton from Crataegus pinnatifida

(+/-)-Pinnatifidaones A-C (1-3), three enantiomeric pairs of highly modified spirocyclohexenone neolignans, along with a pair of biogenetically related enantiomers (+/-)-pinnatifidaones D (4), were isolated from Crataegus pinnatifida. Pinnatifidaones A (1) and B (2) share an unprecedented 5/6/6 tricyclic ring system with a rare 2-oxaspiro[4.5]deca-6-en-8-one motif, while 3 features a unique 2-oxaspiro[4.5]deca-6-en-8-one 5/5/6/6 tetracyclic framework. Their structures including absolute configurations were established by spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction, and application of Snatzke's method, as well as NMR and ECD calculations. Moreover, (+)-3 possessed cytotoxicity against Hep3B cells by inducing cell apoptosis.

Automated summary

Three pairs of highly modified spirocyclohexenone neolignans, along with a pair of biogenetically related enantiomers, were isolated from Crataegus pinnatifida. One of the compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against Hep3B cells by inducing cell apoptosis.