A Mild and Efficient Protocol for the Protection of 3-Hydroxychromones Under Phase-Transfer Catalysis

Abstract

A mild and efficient protocol for the introduction of different protecting groups on 3-hydroxychromones (3-HCs) under phase-transfer catalysis conditions in toluene or dichloromethane/aqueous potassium hydroxide system in the presence of crown ether has been developed. The method is useful for the protection of base-sensitive chromone derivatives. Protected chromones are easier to handle and to purify, and therefore suitable for further chemical transformations. The protecting groups were cleaved cleanly using standard conditions.