Cycloalumination of allylbenzenes with triethylaluminum in the presence of Cp2ZrCl2. One-pot synthesis of 2-benzylbutane-1,4-diols as precursors of dibenzylbutane lignans

Abstract

One-pot synthesis of 2-[(hydroxy- and methoxyphenyl)methyl]butane-1,4-diols in an overall yield of 60–65% by cycloalumination of allylbenzenes (4-allyl-1-methoxybenzene, 4-allyl-1,2-dimethoxybenzene, 5-allyl-2-methoxyphenol, and 5-allyl-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene) with triethylaluminum in the presence of Cp₂ZrCl₂ is reported for the first time. The developed procedure opens a new synthetic route to practically important β-substituted butane-1,4-diols that are precursors to dibenzylbutane lignans.