Synlett 2008(4): 467-495  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1032094
ACCOUNT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Oxidative Dearomatization of Phenols: Why, How and What For?

Stéphane Quideau*, Laurent Pouységu, Denis Deffieux
Université de Bordeaux, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33607 Pessac Cedex, France, and , Institut des Sciences Moléculaires (CNRS-UMR 5255), 351 cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence Cedex, France
Fax: +33(5)40002215; e-Mail: s.quideau@iecb.u-bordeaux.fr;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 29 September 2007
Publication Date:
12 February 2008 (online)

Abstract

This account reviews our investigations over the last ten years on the selective dearomatization of phenols into cyclohexadienones and its application in natural products synthesis.

1 Introduction

2 The First Excavations: Oxocyclization and More...

2.1 Initial Observations on ortho-Quinol Acetate Chemistry

2.2 Total Synthesis of (+)-Puupehenone

3 Does It Work for Alkaloids? Azacyclization and More...

3.1 Nitrogen-Tethered ortho-Quinol Acetates

3.2 Applications in Alkaloid Synthesis

4 Dearomatization into Chiral ortho-Quinone Monoketals

5 What about Anodic Oxidation?

5.1 Anodic Spirocyclization into ortho-Quinone Ketals

5.2 A First Swing at Chiral ortho-Quinone Monoketals

6 The SIBX Success Story!

6.1 Before SIBX

6.2 After SIBX

7 Understanding Dimerization: Cieplak or Not Cieplak?

7.1 Total Synthesis of (+)-Aquaticol

7.2 Toward an All-Embracing Rationale!

8 Conclusions and Perspectives