Navegando por Autor "SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva"

Agora exibindo 1 - 20 de 26

Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Active polyketides isolated from Penicillium herquei
(2013-09) MARINHO, Andrey Moacir do Rosário; MARINHO, Patrícia Santana Barbosa; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; RODRIGUES FILHO, Edson; FERREIRA, Izabel Cristina Piloto
In this work we are reporting the isolation by classical methods of chromatography of six polyketides from Penicillium herquei. The compounds citreorosein ( 1) , emodin ( 2) , janthinone ( 3) , citrinin ( 4) , citrinin H1 ( 5) and dicitrinol ( 6) were identified by spectral methods of 1D and 2D NMR and MS. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were tested against promastigotes forms of Leishmania brasiliensis and 1 and 2 were also assayed against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis and showed good activity.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Análise comparativa dos efeitos alelopáticos das substâncias químicas titonina e titonina acetilada
(2006-06) SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva; BORGES, Fábio Cardoso; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva
The objective of this paper was to establish the variations in the allelopathic activity of the chemical substance tithonine, in function of the acetylation of its molecule. Germination bioassays, under 25 ºC of constant temperature and 12-hour photoperiod, and radicle and hypocotyl development bioassays under 25 °C of constant temperature and 24-hour photoperiod were developed. The receiving plant used was the weed Mimosa pudica. Spectral analysis RMN 1H and 13C and bidimensional RMN techniques were carried out on the acetylated molecule. The acetylation process produced the molecule 7,4'- dimethoxy-3'-acetylflavone, which differed from the original molecule, identified as 7,4'-dimethoxy-3'-hydroxyflavone. The structure of the acetylated tithonine was confirmed by the specters of RMN 1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY and HETCOR. Tithonine was acetylated with acetic anhydride in pyridine. The comparative analysis of the allelopathic activity of the two substances showed that acetylated tithonine presented a greater potential to inhibit seed germination, as well as root and hypocotyl development of M. pudica. Both tithonine and acetylated tithonine showed the same behavior pattern in relation to substance concentration. The data obtained allow suggesting the possibility of increasing the biological activity of a chemical substance with allelopathic activity without compromising its biological peculiarities, desirable to nature and to the interests of society.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Antraquinonas e naftoquinonas do caule de um espécime de reflorestamento de Tectona grandi (Verbenaceae)
(2006-09) MOREIRA, Rafael Yasunori Okada; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro; ARRUDA, Alberto Cardoso; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; MÜLLER, Adolfo Henrique; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; SANTOS, Alberdan Silva; TEREZO, Evaristo
The hexane extract of the bark of Tectona grandis (Verbenaceae) afforded two anthraquinones and two naphtoquinones. Their caracterizations were obtained through NMR spectroscopic techniques. This is the first phytochemical study of the bark of Tectona grandis reforestation specimen in Brazil. The main interest in this work is proving the presence of tectoquinone in reforestation specimen.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Atividade alelopática de chalcona sintética, de seus precursores e de cetonas e aldeídos relacionados
(2007-12) BITENCOURT, Heriberto Rodrigues; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva
Several secondary metabolites produced by plants can be used as herbicides. These products are expected to offer fewer risks to the environment and to meet social demands. However, the availability of compounds is very limited, so synthesis is an alternative. The objective of this work was to evaluate the allelopathic activity of synthetic chalcone, 2,4'-dimethoxychalcone, its precursors, 4-methoxyacetophenone (A) and ortho-anisaldehyde (B), and some of their chemical alterations. The bioassays were developed under 25 ºC and photoperiod of 12 hours. The allelopathic effects of the compounds were tested on seed germination of Mimosa pudica and Senna obtusifolia weeds, under a concentration of 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1 of the compounds. The results indicated that precursor A (4-methoxyacetophenone) plays an important role in allelopathic activity of the chalcones. These results show that synthesis is a possible pathway, helping to overcome problems such as characterization and isolation of natural products with herbicidal activity against weed species.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Atividade alelopática de substâncias químicas isoladas do Capim-Marandu e suas variações em função do pH
(2008) SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; SANTOS, Josiane Cristina Lucas dos; SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva; CORRÊA, Marivaldo José Costa; VEIGA, Thiago Andre Moura; FERREIRA, Vivianne Cristinne Marinho Freitas; FERREIRA, Isabel Cristina Serrão; GONÇALVES, Nelson Santos; SILVA, Carlos E. da; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro
This work aimed to isolate, identify and determine the allelopathic activity of the chemical substances produced by Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu and to verify the effects of the pH in the solution on the activity of these compounds. The allelopathic activity was evaluated based on germination bioassays and radicle and hypocotyl growth using the species 'malícia' (Mimosa pudica) and 'mata-pasto' (Senna obtusifolia) as receptors. The effect of pH was analyzed in a range from 3.0 to 9.0. The pentacyclic triterpenes friedelin and epifriefelinol isolated from the shoots of B. brizantha showed a low inhibitory activity against seed germination and radicle and hypocotyl growth of the two receptor plants evaluated. The pentacyclic triterpenes friedelin and epifrifelinol presented differentiated behaviors in relation to the pH variation in the solution, with stronger inhibition activity against the weed 'mata-pasto'.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Biflavones and triterpenoids isolated from Ouratea castaneifolia (DC.) Engl., Ochnaceae
(2009-12) NASCIMENTO, Luís Adriano Santos do; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; ARRUDA, Alberto Cardoso; MÜLLER, Adolfo Henrique; SILVA, Milton Nascimento da; RODRIGUES, Silvane Tavares; CARVALHO, Mário Geraldo de
This paper presents the chemical investigation of the leaves and stems of Ouratea castaneifolia (DC.) Engl.. There are no chemical or pharmacological studies with this species. Classic phytochemical investigation of the organic extracts together with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedures lead to the identification of seventeen metabolites: seven triterpenes (friedelin, 3β-friedelinol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol, germanicol and taraxerol), four steroids (sitosterol, stigmasterol and the glycosides sitosteryl 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and stigmasteryl 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside), one isoflavone (5,7,4’-trimethoxyisoflavone), one flavone (5,4’-dihydroxy-7,3’,5’-trimethoxyflavone) and four biflavones (amenthoflavone, 7,7”- O-dimethylamenthoflavone, heveaflavone and tetramethylamenthoflavone). The structures of the compounds were established by the analysis of 1H, 13C NMR spectra including bidimensional techniques. The classes of the identified metabolites are in agreement with previous studies of the Ouratea genus.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Bioensaios de atividade alelopática dos esteroides espinasterol, espinasterona e glicopiranosil espinasterol
(2012-12) RIPARDO FILHO, Haroldo da Silva; PACHECO, Luidi Cardoso; SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva
Three steroids (spinasterol, spinasterone, and spinasterol glucopyranosyl) were isolated from the stem of the Amazonian plant Moutabea guianensis. Their structures were determined on the basis of NMR analysis and by comparison with spectroscopic data found in the literature. The allelopathic activities of the three substances were evaluated against two common weeds of the Amazon region, Mimosa pudica ('malicia') and Senna obtusifolia ('mata-pasto'). The substance spinasterol glucopyranosyl was the most active in the radicle growth bioassay, inhibiting Senna obtusifolia in 75%; spinasterol inhibited the development of hypocotyl of Senna obtusifolia in 22%, and spinasterone and spinasterol inhibited 10% of the seed germination of the species Mimosa pudica. These results showed that the difference of substitutes at the C-3 position of the steroids can influence allelopathic activity: the glicosyl group at the C-3 position enhanced the inhibition of hypocotyl growth of the species Mimosa pudica, compared to the hydroxilated and carbonylated steroid. This is the first chemical and allelopathic study with Moutabea guianensis.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Biologically active polyketides produced by Penicillium janthinellum isolated as an endophytic fungus from fruits of Melia azedarach
(2005-04) MARINHO, Andrey Moacir do Rosário; RODRIGUES FILHO, Edson; MOITINHO, Maria da Luz Ribeiro; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva
Penicillium janthinellum, isolated as an endophytic fungus from fruits of Melia azedarach, was cultivated over 20 days on ground and autoclaved white corn, where the known polyketides citrinin, emodin, 1,6,8-trihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylanthraquinone, and a new modified anthraquinone, named janthinone, were produced and isolated by classical chromatographic procedures and identified by MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The antibacterial properties of these polyketides were investigated. Citrinin inhibited 100% of Leishmania growth after 48h at a concentration of 40 μg mL-1.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Biotransformation of chalcones by the endophytic fungus Aspergillus flavus isolated from Paspalum maritimum trin
(2011-07) CORRÊA, Marivaldo José Costa; NUNES, Fátima Miranda; BITENCOURT, Heriberto Rodrigues; BORGES, Fábio Cardoso; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro; MARINHO, Andrey Moacir do Rosário; SANTOS, Alberdan Silva; ALVES, Claudio Nahum; BRASIL, Davi do Socorro Barros; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva
The fungus Aspergillus flavus isolated as endophytic of the plant Paspalum maritimum Trin. was evaluated for its potential application in biotransformation reactions. The compounds chalcone (1), 3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (2) and 2,3,4,4'-tetramethoxychalcone (3) were biotransformed, respectively, in dihydrochalcone (4), 3,4,5-trimethoxydihydrochalcone (5) and 2,3,4,4'-tetramethoxydihydrochalcone (6). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and MS analysis. The dihydrochalcones 5 and 6 are new compounds.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
C25 steroid epimers produced by Penicillium janthinellum, a fungus isolated from fruits Melia azedarach
(2005-12) MARINHO, Andrey Moacir do Rosário; RODRIGUES FILHO, Edson; FERREIRA, Antônio Gilberto; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva
A plant-derived fungus, Penicillium janthinellum, obtained from Melia azedarach, produced ergosterol and ergosterol 5a,8a-peroxide along with a mixture of rare C25 steroid epimers. The C25 steroids, named neocyclocitrinols, shows exactly the same tetracyclic ring system present in cyclocitrinol, which was isolated from a sponge-derived Penicillium citrinum, with the same bicyclo [4:4:1] skeleton at A/B rings, but showing different side chains. The P. janthinellum was cultivated over white corn and the three steroids were isolated by several silica gel based chromatographic procedures and identified by extensive NMR methods, mainly 1H – 13C correlations and 1H – 1H COSY and TOCSY. The biosynthetic origin of the cyclocitrinols is also discussed.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Chemical constituents of Aspergillus sp EJC08 isolated as endophyte from Bauhinia guianensis and their antimicrobial activity
(2013) PINHEIRO, Eduardo Antonio Abreu; CARVALHO, Josiwander Miranda; SANTOS, Diellem Cristina Paiva dos; FEITOSA, André de Oliveira; MARINHO, Patrícia Santana Barbosa; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; SOUZA, Afonso Duarte Leão de; MARINHO, Andrey Moacir do Rosário
The present work reports the isolation of five compounds from Aspergillus sp EJC08 isolated as endophytic from Bauhinia guianensis, a tipical plant of the Amazon. The compounds ergosterol (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), mevalolactone (3), monomethylsulochrin (4) and trypacidin A (5) were isolated by chromatographic procedures and identified by spectral methods of 1D and 2D NMR and MS. Compounds 3, 4 and 5 were tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus and showed good activity.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
A dehydrorotenoid produced by callus tissue culture and wild plant roots of Boerhaavia coccinea
(2007-12) SANTOS, Alberdan Silva; ARAÚJO, Silvana Fernades; GOULART, Henrique Fonseca; CAETANO, Luiz Carlos; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; SANTA’ANA, Antônio Euzébio Goulart
Calli cultures were established from leaves and stem of B. coccinea plantlet produced in vitro and analysed for isofl avonoid content. The quantification of 6,9,11-trihydroxy- 6a,12a-dehydrorotenoid isolated from the roots of Boerhaavia coccinea P. Miller collected from its natural environment, and the same metabolite produced in callus tissue culture of the same plant are described in this paper. The rotinary quantitative HPLC analysis indicated that callus culture produced the same isoflavonoid compound found in the roots of intact wild growing plant. The amount of the secondary metabolite produced in vitro was 955.35 􀈝g/g of dry cell weight, 2.5 times more than the highest amount concentration produced by the wild growing plant in its natural environment.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Dihydroflavonols from the leaves of Derris urucu (Leguminosae): structural elucidation and DPPH radical-scavenging activity
(2009) LÔBO, Lívia Trindade; SILVA, Geilson Alcantara da; FERREIRA, Malisson; SILVA, Milton Nascimento da; SANTOS, Alberdan Silva; ARRUDA, Alberto Cardoso; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; BORGES, Rosivaldo dos Santos; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro
Derris urucu is an Amazonian plant with insecticide and ichthyotoxic properties. Studies with this species show the presence of flavonoids, mainly rotenoids, as well as stilbenes. The ethanol extract of the leaves of Derris urucu (Leguminosae) afforded three new dihydroflavonols named urucuol A (1), B (2) and C (3), and the dihydroflavonol isotirumalin (4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, UV and IR spectra and MS data and comparison with literature data. The isolated compounds (1-4) were evaluated for DPPH• radical scavenging activity and showed a relatively lower antioxidant ability compared to the commercial antioxidant trans-resveratrol.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Flavonoids from leaves of Derris urucu: assessment of potential effects on seed germination and development of weeds
(2013-09) SILVA, Ewerton Afonso Silva da; LÔBO, Lívia Trindade; SILVA, Geilson Alcantara da; SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva; SILVA, Milton Nascimento da; ARRUDA, Alberto Cardoso; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro
In some previous studies, we described the isolation of nine compounds from leaves of Derris urucu, a species found widely in the Amazon rainforest, identified as five stilbenes and four dihydroflavonols. In this work, three of these dihydroflavonols [urucuol A (1), urucuol B (2) and isotirumalin (3)] were evaluated to identify their potential as allelochemicals, and we are also reporting the isolation and structural determination of a new flavonoid [5,3′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-(7,6:5″,6″)-2″,2″-dimethylpyranoflavanone (4)]. We investigated the effects of the dihydroflavonols 1-3 on seed germination and radicle and hypocotyl growth of the weed Mimosa pudica, using solutions at 150 mg.L–1. Urucuol B, alone, was the substance with the greatest potential to inhibit seed germination (26%), while isotirumalin showed greater ability to reduce the development of the hypocotyl (25%), but none of the three substances showed the potential to inhibit radicle. When combined in pairs, the substances showed synergism for the development of root and hypocotyl and effects on seed germination that could be attributed to antagonism. When tested separately, the trend has become more intense effects on seed germination, while for the substances tested in pairs, the intensity of the effect was greater on development of weed.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Metodologias empregadas em estudos de avaliação da atividade alelopática em condições de laboratório: revisão crítica
(2010) SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva
During the last decades, many allelopathy research groups have been formed, worldwide. As part of this trend, Brazil has published a large number of scientific articles in national and international periodicals. Allelopathy, a relatively new science, is in its first stage of development; thus, a proliferation of often not very sound techniques has occurred. The use of such techniques makes it difficult to interpret the results, their biological value and real meaning. Procedures must become more uniform, as the importance of allelopathy increases. Thus, this work has critically revised the bioassay protocols used to characterize the allelopathic properties of crude extracts and pure substances, presenting the strong points and limitations of each procedure, as well.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Novel anthraquinone derivatives produced by Pestalotiopsis guepinii, an endophytic of the medicinal plant Virola michelii (Myristicaceae)
(2011-05) OLIVEIRA, Marilene Nunes; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; SANTOS, Alberdan Silva; FERREIRA, Isabel Cristina Serrão; LOPES JÚNIOR, Manoel Leão; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro; MARINHO, Andrey Moacir do Rosário; SILVA, Milton Nascimento da; RODRIGUES FILHO, Edson; OLIVEIRA, Maria da Conceição Ferreira de
A new anthraquinone derivative, named guepinone (1), along with the known substances isosulochrin (2) and chloroisosulochrin (3), were isolated from a rice culture of Pestalotiopsis guepinii, an endophytic fungus of Virola michelii. The compounds were identified by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectral data. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds was evaluated and chloroisosulchrin (3) was the most active.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Potencial alelopático de duas neolignanas isoladas de folhas de Virola surinamensis (Myristicaceae)
(2007-03) BORGES, Fábio Cardoso; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; CORRÊA, Marivaldo José Costa; OLIVEIRA, Marilene Nunes; SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva
The objective of this research was to isolate, identify and characterize the allelopathic activity of chemical compounds in Virola surinamensis leaves. The process of isolation and identification of chemicals compounds involved the use of organic solvents and Magnetic Nuclear Resonance (MNR 1H, MNR 13C and MNR 13C-DPT), HETCOR and COSY specter. Allelopathic activity was evaluated by bioassays, under constant temperature of 25 ºC and 12-h photoperiod for seed germination and 25 ºC of constant temperature and 24-hour photoperiod for radicle and hypocotyl elongation, at concentrations ranging from 1.0 mg L-1 to 8.0 mg L-1. The receiving plants used were the weeds Mimosa pudica, Senna obtusifolia and Senna occidentalis. Two neolignans were isolated and identified: surinamensin and virolin. The general trend observed was a positive relation between allelopathic effects and the concentration of the compounds, with maximum inhibition obtained at the concentration of 8.0 mg L-1. Surinamensin presented greater potential to inhibit seed germination and radicle/hypocotyl elongation than virolin, regardless of the receiving species or plant parameter. Radicle and hypocotyl elongation were more intensely inhibited than seed germination by the two compounds. Except for the effects promoted on hypocotyl elongation, the species M. pudicawas the most sensitive to the allelopathic effects caused by the two neolignans.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Potencial alelopático de Myrcia guianensis
(2006-12) SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva; SANTOS, Reinaldo Araujo dos; SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; SANTOS, Alberdan Silva; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro; MÜLLER, Adolfo Henrique; ARRUDA, Alberto Cardoso
The use of fire and mowing as weed methods have proved inefficient. Although more efficient, synthetic chemical herbicides are usually related to environmental problems. Thus, the search for natural herbicides has become a priority matter. Based on these facts, research was conducted on Myrcia guianensis (pedra-ume-caá) including the isolation and identification of chemical substances with allelophatic activity. The allelophatic effects of extracts, fractions, essential oils, and isolated chemical substances (gallic acid and protocatechuic acid) on germination and radicle and hypocotyl growth of weed species Mimosa pudica (malícia) and Senna obtusifolia (mata-pasto) were analyzed. Extracts and fractions were analyzed at a concentration of 1%, essential oils at 15, 30, 45, 60 ppm and the isolated chemical substances at 15, 30, 45, 60 ppm. Malicia showed more sensitivity to the allelophatic effects of extracts and fractions. The essential oil inhibited the germination of M. pudica but stimulated that of S. obtusifolia. The allelophatic effects of the chemical substances were concentration dependent and the strongest activity was observed at 60 ppm.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Potencial herbicida da biomassa e de substâncias químicas produzidas pelo fungo endofítico Pestalotiopsis guepinii
(2008) SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; OLIVEIRA, Marilene Nunes; GUILHON, Giselle Maria Skelding Pinheiro; SANTOS, Alberdan Silva; FERREIRA, Isabel Cristina Serrão; LOPES JÚNIOR, Manoel Leão; ARRUDA, Mara Silvia Pinheiro; SILVA, Milton Nascimento da; SOUZA FILHO, Antonio Pedro da Silva; RODRIGUES FILHO, Edson; OLIVEIRA, Maria da Conceição Ferreira de
Many of the chemical compounds found in nature that are produced by plants or microorganisms can offer new and efficient ways of controlling pests in agriculture and agricultural practice, with the help of fungi. The objective of this work is to characterize the inhibitory potential for seed germination and the plantlet development of two weed species using extracts and compounds obtained from biomass produced by Pestalotiopsis guepinii, an endophytic fungus of the species Virola michelii. The bioassays were developed under controlled conditions at 25 ºC and 12-hour photoperiod for germination, and at 25 ºC and 12-hour photoperiod for root and hypocotyl development. The crude extracts were analyzed at a concentration of 1.0% (m/v). The results showed that the more polar extracts (MeOH-1 and MeOH-2) have the highest inhibitory potential, although the hexane and ethyl acetate extract effects were important, especially for seed germination. Comparatively, weed seed germination was more sensitive to the effects than plantlet development. Mimosa pudica was more affected by the inhibitory effects of the extracts. However, for seed germination of Senna obtusifolia, the extract MeOH-1 showed 100% inhibition. The compounds ergosterol and ergosterol peroxide showed an inhibitory potential always below 35%, not showing the inhibitory potential of the hexane extract from which they were isolated. When these compounds were tested together, little increase was observed in the inhibitory activity.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Síntese e atividade biológica de neolignanas 8.0.4' derivados e compostos correlatos
(Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 1991-07-03) SANTOS, Lourivaldo da Silva; BARATA, Lauro Euclides Soares; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1609747051706094
We have synthesized ca. 80 different aromatic compounds (8.0.4' -neolignans several derivatives and correlated compounds containing or 5 at C-8). These substances were submitted to bioassays namely PAF antagonists anti-leishmaniasis antibacteria, anti-schistossomose and anti-fungi. From the Virola surinmensin leaves we have isolated a 8.0.4' -neolignan, (+) -surinamensin whose absolute configuration was determinated as (+)-7S, 8S-surinamensin. Using crown ethers associated with metalic hydrides we have performed studies on the reduction stereoselectivity aiming a high diastereoselectivity of the β-ketoether reductions. We have also developed the first synthetic pathway Ieading to the enantiomerically pure 8.0.4' -neolignans using (+) - and (-) -Dimethyl tartrate as the chiral auxiliary groups which was sucessfulIy applied to the synthesis of (+) -virolin. Also we obtained chiral β -ketosulfides using the same route described earlier in an enantiosselectice pathway. Finnally, using safrol and eugenol abundant Brazilian raw material, we developed an alternative synthetic rout to the neolignans having bromohydrin as intermediate.