Linearly fused retinoid derivatives have been synthesized via a straightforward pathway using a palladium-catalyzed reductive Heck cyclization strategy. The synthesis involved a four-step linear approach utilizing iodination, sulfonylation or benzylation or esterification, palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling and palladium-mediated reductive Heck cyclization.
Key words
retinoids - Heck - Sonogashira - cross-coupling