Synthesis of 2-aryl-4-(4-β-D-allopyranosyloxyphenyl)4,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolin-5(1H)-one derivatives under solvent-free conditions and study of sedative activity
Under solvent-free conditions, syntheses of 2-aryl-4-(4-β-D-allopyranosyloxyphenyl)-4,6,7,8tetrahydroquinolin-5(1H)-one derivatives were carried out from chalcone (2a–2e), cyclohexane-1,3-dione (3), and NH4OAc in excellent yield without using any catalysts. The structure of the new compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, IR, and HR-MS spectroscopy. The preliminary bioassay tests of 4a–4j indicated that compounds 4b, 4e, and 4f exhibited potent sedative and hypnotic activity.
Progress on the Biological Activities of Helicid and its Derivatives


Helicid is a specific Chinese natural drug. Helicid, its congeners, and its derivatives
exhibit pronounced biological activities, among which its hypnotic effects stand out.
The well-documented sedation and analgesic activity and low side effects of helicid have
drawn more and more attention from scientists. Moreover, its clinical success and intriguing
mechanism of action have stimulated great interest in further modification of helicid
for improving its hypnotic activity. The 4-formyl group has been a major target for structural
derivatization aimed at either producing more potent compounds or overcoming drug
disadvantages. Accordingly, numerous helicid derivatives have been prepared via molecular
docking and hemisynthesis. Although neither systematic nor comprehensive, there are
two excellent reviews on the distribution, sources, applications, synthesis, and pharmacological
activity of helicid that have been published in Chinese. In the present review, we attempt to compile and
discuss the key data available in the literature on the multiple biological activities of helicid derivatives. This
compilation of 102 references may be helpful in understanding the diverse biological properties of helicid
while providing insights into its mechanism of action. This may direct future research in the synthesis of new
derivatives and the exploration of other biological activities.

Identification of female-produced sex pheromone from banded cucumber beetle,Diabrotica balteata leconte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
A sex pheromone produced by female banded cucumber beetle adults,Diabrotica balteata LeConte, was isolated from volatiles trapped on Porapak Q and identified as 6,12-dimethylpentadecan-2-one. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and confirmed by synthesis. The synthesized racemic compound was equal to the purified natural pheromone in eliciting responses by banded cucumber beetle males to field traps. A doseresponse characteristic was demonstrated for the racemic material formulated on filter paper or rubber septa and placed in field traps. The absolute configuration at the C-6 and C-12 positions was not established.