Abstract

The conjugate addition of carbanions dervied from arylbis(phenylthio)methanes to butenolide followed by trapping of the enolate anion so generated by a benzyl halide affords adducts (8) containing the basic lignan skeleton. Desulphurisation of these adducts by Raney nickel affords a short efficient synthesis of trans-dibenzylbutyrolactones and this route has been used to prepare enterolactone (9c) and an antitumour lignan (9b), derived from Bursera schlechtendalii. Treatment of the adducts (8) with heavy-metal salts induces cyclisation leading to arylnaphthalene lactones, including retrojusticidin B (13).

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.