Synthesis of obtusinin and 7-(3′-hydroxymethylbut-2′-enyloxy)-6-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one

Obtusinin (1) has been synthesised by the reaction of 6-methoxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (3) with OsO₄. Synthesis of 7-(3-hydroxymethylbut-2-enyloxy)-6-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (2) has been achieved by the regiospecific oxidation of3 with SeO₂ followed by reduction of the formed aldehyde with KBH₄.

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Synthese von Obtusinin und 7-(3-Hydroxymethylbut-2-enyloxy)-6-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-on

Zusammenfassung Obtusinin (1) wurde über 6-Methoxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-on (3) mit OsO₄ synthetisiert. Die Darstellung von 7-(3-Hydroxymethylbut-2-enyloxy)-6-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-on (2) wurde mittels regioselektiver Oxidation von3 mit SeO₂, gefolgt von Reduktion des gebildeten Aldehyds mit KBH₄, bewerkstelligt.

     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 7-acyloxy-3-(4-acyloxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one

A new homologous series of 7-acyloxy-3-(4-acyloxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ones was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques along with thermal behaviour study using differential scanning calorimetry. Texture observation was performed under the polarizing optical microscope from which the derivatives were found to exhibit different molecular organizations as exemplified by various mesophases. Whilst the compounds containing butanoyloxy and hexanoyloxy groups behave as nematogens, the other compounds with heptanoyloxy and longer side chains show a SmC phase. The octadecanoyloxy derivative was the only member showing a monotropic SmC phase. The difference in phase behaviour is discussed based on the molecular structure and the presence of a lateral dipole which can be associated with the intermolecular interaction within the mesophase.     

A facile and practical preparation of 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one

In spite of the fact that several preparative methods for the synthesis of hydroxylated isoflavones were reported during the past fifty years, none is suitable for the preparation of isoflavones containing 5,7-dihydroxyl functions. This paper reports a simple, large scale preparation of 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one ( 2a ) by the condensation of the readily available 4-nitrobenzyl 2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl ketone ( 1a ) and acetic-formic anhydride in high yields. Similar isoflavones, such as 7-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one ( 2b ) can also be obtained in good yields in analogous manner.