Synlett 2014; 25(16): 2350-2354
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1378615
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthesis of Tetracyclic Flavonoids via Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Oxidative Cyclization

Narasimham Ayyagari
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, 901 Walnut St, Ste. 919, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA   Fax: +1(215)5037722   Email: jitendra.belani@jefferson.edu
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Jitendra D. Belani*
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, 901 Walnut St, Ste. 919, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA   Fax: +1(215)5037722   Email: jitendra.belani@jefferson.edu
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Received: 16 May 2014

Accepted after revision: 16 July 2014

Publication Date:
18 August 2014 (online)


Dedicated to Professors Charles J. Kelley and Scott D. Rychnovsky

Abstract

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of terminal-olefin-tethered phenols was achieved in good yields (61–90% yields). The reaction was optimized and White catalyst {[1,2-bis-(phenylsulfinyl)ethane]palladium(II)acetate} provided the best yield in the presence of benzoquinone as an oxidant. The reaction tolerated both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents on the substrates, and the structure of the tetracyclic flavonoids was confirmed using single-crystal X-ray analysis. The study represents the first example of successful allylic C–H activation/ C–O bond formation using terminal-olefin-tethered phenols.

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