The reaction of 4-methoxycoumarins with prenyl bromide: Synthesis of 4?,4?,5?-trimethyl-dihydrofurano-coumarins and 2,2-dimethyl-chromenopyrans

Abstract

The reaction of 7-hydroxy-4-methoxy- (1a), 7-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-(1b) and 5-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy (1c) -2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones with prenyl bromide in acetone in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate gave the corresponding prenyloxycoumarins1d,1e, and1f. The prenyloxy coumarins1d,1e,1f onClaisen migration by refluxing inN,N-dimethyl aniline gave the corresponding 4′,4′,5′-trimethyl-dihydrofuranocoumarins2a,2b, and3. However, the reaction of1a,1b, and1c with 3-chloro-3-methyl-but-1-yne in acetone in presence of potassium carbonate and potassium iodide gave the corresponding propargyl ethers1g,1h,1i, which on refluxing inN,N-dimethyl aniline gave the corresponding 2,2-dimethylchromenopyrans4a,4b, and5. These can also be obtained directly if the reaction is carried out in the presence of dioxan.