First total synthesis of artepillin C established by o,o'-diprenylation of p-halophenols in water

J Org Chem. 2002 Apr 5;67(7):2355-7. doi: 10.1021/jo0056904.

Abstract

We have demonstrated that prenylation of p-halophenols was dependent on the solvent effect and succeeded in o,o'-diprenylation of p-halophenols in water. Following the Mizoroki-Heck coupling of the diprenyl-p-iodophenol 3c with methyl acrylate and then hydrolysis, we first synthesized artepillin C [3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl)-2(E)-propenoic acid] (1), which is a biologically active constituent of propolis. These reactions may be applicable to the synthesis of various useful natural products such as 2,4,6-trisubstituted phenol derivatives.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Catalysis
  • Cinnamates / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Phenols / chemistry*
  • Phenylpropionates / chemical synthesis*
  • Phenylpropionates / chemistry
  • Propolis / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cinnamates
  • Phenols
  • Phenylpropionates
  • Water
  • artepillin C
  • Propolis