Synlett 2004(7): 1243-1246  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-825596
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

DBU-Induced Phenol-Keto Resonance in 3,5-Dihydroxyphthalide: Regioselectivities in Condensations with α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes - Facile Synthesis of Bioactive Natural and Unnatural Benzopyrans [1]

Mukulesh Mondal, Narshinha P. Argade*
Division of Organic Chemistry (Synthesis), National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411 008, India
e-Mail: argade@dalton.ncl.res.in;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 12 February 2004
Publication Date:
10 May 2004 (online)

Abstract

Remarkably tuned regioselectivities are obtained in the condensation of 3,5-dihydroxyphthalide (1) with several α,β-unsaturated aldehydes using DBU and neutral conditions. The linear (65-81%) and angular (51-60%) bioactive natural and unnatural ­benzopyran derivatives are produced exclusively in one step and are described via phenol-keto resonance.

1

NCL Communication No. 6659.

1

NCL Communication No. 6659.

8

Upon silica gel column chromatographic purification of 3, only 1 was eluted from the column. Neutral alumina column purification gave only DBU.