The invention relates to a process for the preparation of colchicine 1 from colchicoside 2 which comprises enzymatic conversion of colchicoside 2 to 3-O-demethylcolchicine 3, wherein the enzyme used is a cellulase. According to another aspect of the invention, 3-O-demethylcolchicine 3 can be converted to colchicine 1 using an alkylating agent. The invention also relates to a process or enriching the colchicine 1 content of extracts from plants belonging to the Colchicaceae family containing colchicine 1, colchicoside 2 and 3-(9-demethyl colchicine 3, which comprises conversion by means of a colchicoside 2 cellulase to 3-O-demethylcolchicine 3, followed by conversion of 3-O-demethylcolchicine 3 to colchicine 1 using an alkylating agent.

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of colchicine 1 from colchicoside 2 which comprises enzymatic conversion of colchicoside 2 to 3-O-demethylcolchicine 3, wherein the enzyme used is a cellulase. According to another aspect of the invention, 3-O-demethylcolchicine 3 can be converted to colchicine 1 using an alkylating agent. The invention also relates to a process or enriching the colchicine 1 content of extracts from plants belonging to the Colchicaceae family containing colchicine 1, colchicoside 2 and 3-(9-demethyl colchicine 3, which comprises conversion by means of a colchicoside 2 cellulase to 3-O-demethylcolchicine 3, followed by conversion of 3-O-demethylcolchicine 3 to colchicine 1 using an alkylating agent.

Disclosed are 1,3-Dioxoindene derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or enantiomers, a preparation method thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of viral diseases, comprising the same as an active ingredient. The 1,3-Dioxoindene derivatives have excellent inhibitory activity against picornaviruses including coxsackie-, entero-, echo-, Polio-, and rhinoviruses, as well as exhibiting low cytotoxicity, so that they can be useful as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of viral diseases including poliomyelitis, paralysis, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, viral meningitis, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, vesicular disease, hepatitis A, myositis, myocarditis, pancreatitis, diabetes, epidemic myalgia, encephalitis, cold, herpangina, foot-and-mouth disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, sinusitis or otitis media.

Disclosed are 1,3-Dioxoindene derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or enantiomers, a preparation method thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of viral diseases, comprising the same as an active ingredient. The 1,3-Dioxoindene derivatives have excellent inhibitory activity against picornaviruses including coxsackie-, entero-, echo-, Polio-, and rhinoviruses, as well as exhibiting low cytotoxicity, so that they can be useful as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of viral diseases including poliomyelitis, paralysis, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, viral meningitis, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, vesicular disease, hepatitis A, myositis, myocarditis, pancreatitis, diabetes, epidemic myalgia, encephalitis, cold, herpangina, foot-and-mouth disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, sinusitis or otitis media.

RhlR modulators including agonist and antagonists which are useful for modulating QS phenotypes in Gram-negative bacteria. Certain compounds of general formula A-W-HG having various carbocyclic ad heterocyclic head groups (HG) and various tail groups (A), where —W— is —CO—NH—, —SO.sub.2—NH—, —CO—NH—CH.sub.2—, or —SO.sub.2—NH—CH.sub.2— are RhlR agonists or antagonists. The compounds are useful in methods of modulating quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria, particularly in Pseudomonas. Compositions including certain RhlR modulators are useful for decreasing the virulence of Gram-negative bacteria. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising certain RhlR modulators are useful for treatment of infections of Gram-negative bacteria.

RhlR modulators including agonist and antagonists which are useful for modulating QS phenotypes in Gram-negative bacteria. Certain compounds of general formula A-W-HG having various carbocyclic ad heterocyclic head groups (HG) and various tail groups (A), where —W— is —CO—NH—, —SO.sub.2—NH—, —CO—NH—CH.sub.2—, or —SO.sub.2—NH—CH.sub.2— are RhlR agonists or antagonists. The compounds are useful in methods of modulating quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria, particularly in Pseudomonas. Compositions including certain RhlR modulators are useful for decreasing the virulence of Gram-negative bacteria. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising certain RhlR modulators are useful for treatment of infections of Gram-negative bacteria.

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): wherein the substituents are as defined herein, and wherein the compound of formula (I) is optionally present as an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are thought to be suitable for use as herbicides. The invention therefore also relates to a method of controlling weeds, especially grassy monocotyledonous weeds, in crops of useful plants, comprising applying a compound of formula (I), or a herbicidal composition comprising such a compound, to the plants or to the locus thereof. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): wherein the substituents are as defined herein, and wherein the compound of formula (I) is optionally present as an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are thought to be suitable for use as herbicides. The invention therefore also relates to a method of controlling weeds, especially grassy monocotyledonous weeds, in crops of useful plants, comprising applying a compound of formula (I), or a herbicidal composition comprising such a compound, to the plants or to the locus thereof. ##STR00001##

The invention discloses a method for fluoroalkylation of enamines with a fluoro alkyl halide in the presence of a base.

The invention discloses a method for fluoroalkylation of enamines with a fluoro alkyl halide in the presence of a base.