The invention discloses novel processes for production, enrichment and/or isolation of alpha-tocotrienol from source material comprising at least one non-alpha-tocotrienol, such as natural extracts comprising mixed tocotrienols.

The invention discloses novel processes for production, enrichment and/or isolation of alpha-tocotrienol from source material comprising at least one non-alpha-tocotrienol, such as natural extracts comprising mixed tocotrienols.

The invention discloses novel processes for production, enrichment and/or isolation of alpha-tocotrienol from source material comprising at least one non-alpha-tocotrienol, such as natural extracts comprising mixed tocotrienols.

The invention discloses novel processes for production, enrichment and/or isolation of alpha-tocotrienol from source material comprising at least one non-alpha-tocotrienol, such as natural extracts comprising mixed tocotrienols.

The invention discloses novel processes for production, enrichment and/or isolation of alpha-tocotrienol from source material comprising at least one non-alpha-tocotrienol, such as natural extracts comprising mixed tocotrienols.

Provided are colored 1,4-benzoquinone compounds obtained by oxidation of precursor molecules from the venom of the scorpion Diplocentrus melici (Diplocentridae family). Schemes for the chemical synthesis of these compounds using reagents commercially available are also provided. Biological assays show that the red compound (3,5-dimethoxy-2-(methylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione) is very effective at killing Staphylococcus aureus and that the blue compound (5-methoxy-2,3-bis(methylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione) has remarkable activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The blue compound is effective against multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and is not detrimental to lung epithelium. Both compounds were found to be cytotoxic to human neoplastic cell lines and to mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Provided are colored 1,4-benzoquinone compounds obtained by oxidation of precursor molecules from the venom of the scorpion Diplocentrus melici (Diplocentridae family). Schemes for the chemical synthesis of these compounds using reagents commercially available are also provided. Biological assays show that the red compound (3,5-dimethoxy-2-(methylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione) is very effective at killing Staphylococcus aureus and that the blue compound (5-methoxy-2,3-bis(methylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione) has remarkable activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The blue compound is effective against multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and is not detrimental to lung epithelium. Both compounds were found to be cytotoxic to human neoplastic cell lines and to mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

In a production method of the present disclosure, a 1,1-binaphthyl precursor derivative, an organic acid, and an iodinating or brominating agent are mixed. The 1,1-binaphthyl precursor derivative has a 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton and has an electron-donating group at the 2-position of the 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton and at the 2-position of the 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton, and the electron-donating group contains an oxygen atom directly bonded to the skeleton. With the production method of the present disclosure, a 1,1-binaphthyl derivative having a substituent introduced at the 8-position and/or 8-position of the 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton can be obtained. The 1,1-binaphthyl derivative obtained by the production method of the present disclosure can be a compound further having a substituent introduced at at least one position selected from the 4-position, 4-position, 5-position, 5-position, 6-position, and 6-position of the 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton.

In a production method of the present disclosure, a 1,1-binaphthyl precursor derivative, an organic acid, and an iodinating or brominating agent are mixed. The 1,1-binaphthyl precursor derivative has a 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton and has an electron-donating group at the 2-position of the 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton and at the 2-position of the 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton, and the electron-donating group contains an oxygen atom directly bonded to the skeleton. With the production method of the present disclosure, a 1,1-binaphthyl derivative having a substituent introduced at the 8-position and/or 8-position of the 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton can be obtained. The 1,1-binaphthyl derivative obtained by the production method of the present disclosure can be a compound further having a substituent introduced at at least one position selected from the 4-position, 4-position, 5-position, 5-position, 6-position, and 6-position of the 1,1-binaphthyl skeleton.

Using a combination of Kumada, Suzuki and Biellmann chemistry, various menaquinones can synthesized rapidly and with stereochemical integrity offering a new way of preparing these vitamin K2 components for the pharmaceutical market. In one embodiment a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) ##STR00001## is defined including a step in which (i) a compound of formula (II) is reacted with a compound of formula (III) ##STR00002## wherein R is an alkyl group; LG is a leaving group; m is an integer from 0 to 8; n is an integer of from 0 to 9; and X is hydrogen, halide, hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl; in the presence of a copper, nickel or palladium catalyst.