Synthesis and chemistry of some pyridazine nucleosides related to certain 5-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides

Condensation of 3,4-dichloro-6-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy] pyridazine ( 3 ) with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β- D -ribofuranose ( 4 ), by the stannic chloride catalyzed procedure, has furnished 3,4-dichloro-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β- D -ribofuranosyl) pyridazin-6-one ( 5 ). Nucleophilic displacement of the chloro groups and removal of the benzoyl blocking groups from 5 has furnished 3-chloro-4-methoxy-, 3,4-dimethoxy-, 4-amino-3-chloro-, 3-chloro-4-methylamino-, 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-1-β- D -ribofuranosylpyridazin-6-one. An unusual reaction of 5 with dimethylamine is reported. Condensation of 4,5-dichloro-3-nitro-6-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]pyridazine with 4 yielded 4,5-dichloro-3-nitro-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β- D -ribofuranosyl)pyridazin-6-one ( 24 ). Nucleophilic displacement of the aromatic nitro groups from 24 is discussed. Condensation of 3 with 3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl 2-deoxy- D -erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride ( 28 ) afforded an α, β mixture of 2-deoxy nucleosides. The synthesis of certain 3-substituted pyridazine 2′-deoxy necleosides are reported.     

An improved synthesis of 3-deazaeytosine, 3-deazauracil, 3-deazacytidine,and 3-deazauridine

3-Dcazacytosine (4-amino-2-pyridone, 3 ), 3-doazauracil (4-hydroxy-2-pyridone, 5 ), 3-deaza-cytidine (4-amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-2-pyridonc, 9 ), and 3-deazauridine (4-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribo-furanosyl-2-pyridone, 11 ) were prepared in high overall yields from 1-methoxy-1-buten-3-yne ( 1 ). Ethyl 3,5,5-triethoxy-3-pentenoate ( 2 ), obtained from acylatioti of 1 with diethyl carbonate and subsequent in situ conjugate addition of ethoxide, was cyelized with ammonia to provide 3 . Diazotization of 3 and subsequent in situ hydroxydediazotization afforded 5 . Nucleoside 9 was obtained from the stannic chloride-catalyzed condensation of bis-trimethylsilylated 3 and 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranose ( 7 ), followed by ammonolysis of the blocking groups. Diazotization of 9 and subsequent in situ hydroxydediazotization afforded nucleosidc 11 .     

Synthesis of certain pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-3-one nucleosides

Synthesis of the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-3-one congeners of guanosine, adenosine and inosine is described. Glycosylation of 3-methoxy-6-methylthio-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one ( 13 ) with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose ( 16 ) in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate gave 3-methoxy-6-methylthio-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one ( 17 ) which, after successive treatments with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid and methanolic ammonia, afforded 6-amino-3-methoxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)one ( 18 ). The guanosine analog, 6-amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3,4(2H,5H)-dione ( 21 ), was made by sodium iodide-chlorotrimethylsilane treatment of 6-amino-3-methoxy-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)one ( 19 ), followed by sugar deprotection. Treatment of the adenine analog, 4-amino-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-3(2H)-one ( 11 ), according to the high temperature glycosylation procedure yielded a mixture of N-1 and N-2 ribosyl-attached isomers. Deprotection of the individual isomers afforded 4-amino-3-hydroxy-1-βribofuranosylpyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidine ( 26 ) and 4-amino-2-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-3(7H)-one ( 27 ). The structures of 26 and 27 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The inosine analog, 1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3,4(2H,5H)-dione ( 28 ), was synthesized enzymatically by direct ribosylation of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3,4(2H,5H)-dione ( 8 ) with ribose-1-phosphate in the presence of purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and also by deamination of 26 with adenosine deaminase.     

Synthesis of 3-dialkylaminochromans via thallium(III)-induced cyclization of allyl aryl ethers

The sulfur-containing 3-alkylaminochromans, 5-methoxy-3-[N-(2- methylthioethyl)-propylamino]chroman (15), 5-hydroxy-3-[N-(2-methylthioethyl)propylamino]chroman (5) and 5-methoxy-8-methylthio-3-(dipropylamino)chroman (6), have been prepared from 8-bromo-5-methoxy-3-chromanol (11). This precursor was synthesized from 3-allyloxy-4-bromoanisole (8), by a thallium(III)-mediated ring-closure reaction. Compound 11 also served as starting material for the synthesis of 8-bromo-3-(dipropylamino)-5-methoxychroman (7).     

Synthesis of certain 3-alkoxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines structurally related to adenosine,inosine and guanosine

Several 3-alkoxysubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ribonucleosides structurally related to adenosine, inosine and guanosine have been prepared by the direct glycosylation of preformed aglycon precursor containing a 3-alkoxy substituent. Ring closure of 5(3)-amino-3(5)-ethoxypyrazole-4-carboxamide ( 6b ) with either formamide or potassium ethyl xanthate gave 3-ethoxyallopurinol ( 7b ) and 3-ethoxy-6-thioxopyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidin-4(5H,7H)-one ( 10 ), respectively. Methylation of 10 gave the corresponding 6-methylthio derivative 15 . Similar ring annulation of 5(3)-methoxypyrazole-4-carboxamide ( 6a ) with formamide afforded 3-methoxyallopurinol ( 7a ). Treatment of 5(3)-amino-3(5)-methoxypyrazole-4-carbonitrile ( 5a ) with formamidine acetate furnished 4-amino-3-methoxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ( 4 ). High-temperature glycosylation of 7b with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate gave a 2:1 mixture of N-1 and N-2 glycosyl blocked nucleosides 11b and 13b . Deprotection of 11b and 13b with sodium methoxide gave 3-ethoxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one ( 12b ) and the corresponding N-2 glycosyl isomer 14b , respectively. Similar glycosylation of either 4 or 7a , and subsequent debenzoylation gave exclusively 4-amino-3-methoxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ( 9 ) and 3-methoxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-(5H)-one ( 12a ), respectively. The structural assignment of 12a was made on the basis of single-crystal X-ray analysis. Application of this general glycosylation procedure to 15 gave the corresponding N-1 glycosyl derivative 16 as the sole product, which on debenzoylation afforded 3-ethoxy-6-(methylthio)-1-(3-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one ( 17 ). Oxidation of 16 and subsequent ammonolysis furnished the guanosine analog 6-arnino-3-ethoxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidin-4(5H)-one ( 19 ). Similarly, starting from 3-methoxy-4,6-bis(methylthio)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ( 20 ), 6-amino-3-methoxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one ( 23 ) was prepared.     

Pyridine nucleosides related to 5-fluorouracil

5-Fluoro-2-methoxypyridine ( 3 ) synthesized from 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine was converted to 4-benzyloxy-5-fluoro-2-methoxypyridine ( 12 ) and 2,4-dimethoxy-5-fluoropyridine ( 13 ) by a four step procedure employing the intermediate 5-fluoro-2-methoxy-4-nitropyridine N-oxide (7). Condensation of 3 , 12 , and 13 with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D -ribofuranosyl bromide gave, after removal of the protecting groups, 4-deoxy-5-fluoro-3-deazauridine (20), 5-fluoro-3-deazauridine (23) and 5-fluoro-4-methoxy-3-deazauridine (25). Several alkylated and dealkylated derivatives of 3 and 12 were also prepared. Structure proof and anomeric configuration were determined from the uv, nmr, and CD data.     

Lucidin type anthraquinone glycosides from Putoria calabrica

Two new lucidin type anthraquinone glycosides, putorinoside A (1) and putorinoside B (2) were isolated from Putoria calabrica, in addition to two known anthraquinone glycosides, lucidin 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (3) and lucidin 3-O-primeveroside (4). Based on spectroscopic data, putorinosides A and B were identified as 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methoxy-3,5,6-trihydroxyanthraquinone 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside and 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methoxy-3,6-dihydroxyanthraquinone 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside, respectively.     

Oxidation of perfluoroaromatics

3,4,5,6-Tetrafluoro-2-nitroaniline (I), 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-nitroaniline (IV) and 2,5,6-trifluoro-4-nitro-1,3-phenylenediamine (VI) react with nitrous acid to give 3,4,5-trifluoro-6-nitro-1,2-diazo-oxide (III), 3,5,6-trifluoro-4-nitro-1,2-diazo-oxide and (V) 5-fluoro-6-nitro-bis-1,2:3,4-diazo-oxide (VII), respectively. Reduction of the diazo-oxide (III) with hypophosphorous acid gives 4,5,6-trifluoro-3-nitrophenol (VIII). Treatment of 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoroacetanilide with nitric acid affords trifluoro-p-benzoquinone (X), the reduction of which gives trifluorohydroquinone (XI). Proton and fluorine chemical shifts and coupling constants of the new compounds are reported.     

Novel Synthesis of Agaritine,a 4-Hydrazinobenzyl-Alcohol Derivative Occurring in Agaricaceae

The 4-hydrazinobenzyl alcohol ( 3 was prepared (58%)) by diiobutylaluminiumhydride reduction of methyl 4-hydrazinobenzoate ( 4 ), whereas LiA1H₄ or LiBh₄ reduction of 4 proceeded further to yield (via intermediate 3 ) (4-tolyl)hydrazine ( 5 ). The alcohol 3 was stable under O₂-free conditions and exhibited no tendency to eliminate H₂O, neither thermally nor with H⁺ catalysis. Oxidation of 3 with SeO₂ yielded 4-(hydroxymethyl)benzine-diazonium ion ( 8 ), identified by its azo coupling product 9 with 2-naphthol. Condensation of 3 with 1-benzyl 5-Hydrogen N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-glutamate ( 10 ) in presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide afforded 81% of N²-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L- glutamic acid 1-(benzyl-ester) 5-{2-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]hydrazide} ( 11 ) which upon controlled hydrogenolysis (quinoline-sulfur-poisoned Pd/C catalyst) gave 82% of L-Glutamic acid 5-{2-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl] hydrazide} ( 1 ), i. e. agaritine, a metabolite of Agaricus bisporus. Without poisoning of the catalyst, hydrogenolysis of ( 11 ) yielded L-glutamic acid 5-[2-(4-tolyl)hydrazide] ( 12 ).     

Hydrogenolysis of β-O-4 lignin model dimers by a ruthenium-xantphos catalyst

Hydrogenolysis reactions of so-called lignin model dimers using a Ru-xantphos catalyst are presented (xantphos = 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene). For example, of some nine models studied, the alcohol, 2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-phenylethanol (), with 5 mol% Ru(H)(2)(CO)(PPh(3))(xantphos) () in toluene-d(8) at 135 °C for 20 h under N(2), gives in ～95% yield the C-O cleavage hydrogenolysis products, acetophenone () and guaiacol (), and a small amount (<5%) of the ketone, 2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-phenylethanone (), as observed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The in situ Ru(H)(2)(CO)(PPh(3))(3)/xantphos system gives similar findings, confirming a recent report (J. M. Nichols et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2010, 132, 12554). The active catalyst is formulated 'for convenience' as 'Ru(CO)(xantphos)'. The hydrogenolysis mechanism proceeds by initial dehydrogenation to give the ketone , which then undergoes hydrogenolysis of the C-O bond to give and . Hydrogenolysis of to and also occurs using the Ru catalyst under 1 atm H(2); in contrast, use of 3-hydroxy-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-phenyl-1-propanone (), for example, where the CH(2) of has been changed to CHCH(2)OH, gives a low yield (≤15%) of hydrogenolysis products. Similarly, the diol substrate, 2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-phenyl-1,3-propanediol (), gives low yields of hydrogenolysis products. These low yields are due to formation of the catalytically inactive complexes Ru(CO)(xantphos)[C(O)C(OC(6)H(4)OMe)[double bond, length as m-dash]C(Ph)O] () and/or Ru(CO)(xantphos)[C(O)CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(Ph)O] (), where the organic fragments result from dehydrogenation of CH(2)OH moieties in and . Trace amounts of Ru(CO)(xantphos)(OC(6)H(4)O), a catecholate complex, are isolated from the reaction of with . Improved syntheses of and lignin models are also presented.     

Pyridine nucleosides related to 5-fluorocytosine

4-Amino-5-fluoro-2-pyridone ( 4 ) [5-fluoro-3-deazacytosine] was isolated as the hydrochloride salt from the dealkylation of 4-amino-5-fluoro-2-methoxypyridine ( 2 ), which was obtained from the reduction of 5-fluoro-2-methoxy-4-nitropyridine-N-oxide ( 1 ). Acetylation of 2 gave 4-acetamido-5-fluoro-2-methoxypyridine ( 3 ), which was condensed with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl bromide to give the blocked nucleoside ( 8 ). Removal of the protecting groups gave 5-fluoro-3-deazacytidine. Fusion of the trimethylsilyl derivative of 4 (10), with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl-D-erythro pentofuranosyl chloride gave a mixture of the β and α-anomers 12 and 13 , which were separated and deblocked to yield 5-fluoro-2′-deoxy-3-deazacytidine ( 14 ) and its α-anomer ( 15 ). Several alkylated and acetylated derivatives of 2 were prepared as model compounds for use in the proof of structure.     

The synthesis of some 5-methoxypyrimidine nucleosides

The synthesis of 5-methoxyuridine ( 3 ), 5-methoxycytidine ( 6 ), 1-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythropento-furanosyl)-5-methoxyuracil ( 14 ), 5-methoxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-4-thiopyrimidin-2-one ( 5 ), 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-methoxycytosine ( 12 ), 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-methoxyuracil ( 8 ) and 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-methoxy-4-thiopyrimidin-2-one ( 11 ) have been accomplished. Both 3 and 14 were synthesized by alkylation of 2,4-bis(trimethyIsilyI)-5-methoxyuracil ( 1 ) with the appropriately blocked halosugars. Synthesis of the corresponding 5-methoxy-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl derivatives was accomplished through the intermediate 2,2 -anhydro-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-methoxyuracil ( 7 ). The cytosine and 4-thiouracil derivatives in both the arabino- and ribo- series were prepared by thiation followed by amination.     

新型苯并二氢呋喃合二酮酸类化合物的合成及其与整合酶分子对接研究

以阿魏酸甲酯为原料,通过氧化偶联构建2-芳基苯并二氢呋喃骨架,再经傅克酰基化和酯缩合反应依次制得(E)-3-［2-(4-羟基-3-甲氧基-5-乙酰基)苯基-3-甲氧羰基-7-甲氧基-2,3-二氢苯［b］并呋喃-5-基］丙烯酸甲酯（3）和(E)-3-［2-(4-羟基-3-甲氧基-5-甲氧羰基乙酰基)苯基-3-甲氧羰基-7-甲氧基-2,3二氢苯并［b］呋喃-5-基］丙烯酸甲酯（4）; 4经水解反应合成3-【2-羟基-3-甲氧基-5-｛5-［2-（甲氧基羰基）乙烯基］-7-甲氧基-3-甲氧羰基-2,3-二氢苯并［b］呋喃-2-｝基】苯基-3-氧丙酸（5）,化合物3~5未见文献报道,其结构经¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR和MS(ESI)表征。采用分子对接软件Autodock vina对化合物2~5与HIV-1整合酶核心部位高度同源的PFV IN（PDB: 3L2V）进行对接,计算结果显示该类化合物能与整合酶形成稳定的复合物,具有1,3-二酮基团的化合物3, 4和5能与整合酶中金属离子产生螯合作用,其中化合物5的结合作用最强。     

New cytotoxic butanolides from Lindera obtusiloba BLUME

Three new butanolides, 2-(1-methoxy-11-dodecenyl)-penta-2,4-dien-4-olide (1), (2Z,3S,4S)-2-(11-dodecenylidene)-3-hydroxy-4-methylbutano lide (2) and (2E,3R,4R)-2-(11-dodecenylidene)-3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4-methylbu tanolide (3), were isolated from the stems of Lindera obtusiloba BLUME. Their chemical structures were assigned by spectroscopic evidence. They exhibited cytotoxicity against cultured human tumor cell lines with their ED50 values ranging from 3.19 to 14.63 microg/ml.     

Reactions of 1,3,5-triazinylnitroformaldoximes 3*. Interaction of 1,3,5-triazinylnitroformaldoximes with malonic acid esters

The reaction of 6-R-4-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-ylnitroformaldoximes with dimethyl malonate gives the zwitterionic 4-methoxycarbonyl-3-(4-R-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-ones. X-ray structural analysis has been carried out on the zwitterionic 4-methoxycarbonyl-3-(4-methoxy-6-piperidino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-one.     

A step forward in the field of drug design: 1,5-benzothiazepines and their nucleosides

(±)cis-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy/methoxy-6-methoxy/8-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepin-4-[5H/5-chloroacetyl/5-(4′-methylpiperazino-1′)acetyl]-ones and nucleosides viz; (±)cis-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepin-4-[5-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)]-one and (±)cis-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,8-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepin-4-[5-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)]-one have been synthesized by the condensation of substituted-2-aminobenzenethiols with methyl (±)trans-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)glycidate in xylene and by stirring the 3-methoxy derivative of 1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-ones with sugar namely β-D-ribofuranosyl-1-acetate-2,3,5-tribenzoate at 155–160 °C in vacuo for 10 hours, respectively. The synthesized compounds have been characterized by the elemental analyses and spectral data and screened for their antimicrobial activity.     

Isoflavones from the mangrove endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. (ZZF41)

A new isoflavone, 5-O-methyl-2'-methoxy-3'-methylalpinumisoflavone (1), together with four known compounds 6-methoxy-5,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (2), 6-methoxy-7,4'-dihydroxyisoflavone (3), (+)-marmesin (4), and 4-methylbenzoic acid carboxymethyl ester (5), were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus, Fusarium sp. (ZZF41). Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 inhibited HEp-2 and HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 4 and 11 micromol/mL, respectively.     

A new geranylated aromatic compound from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum

A new geranylated aromatic compound, 5-[(2'E)-3',7'-dimethyl-2',6'-octadienyl]-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1-isoindolinone (1), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Hericium erinaceum (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Hericiaceae) together with three known sterols, 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-(22E)-ergosta-8(14),22-diene-3beta,7alpha-diol (2), (22E)-ergosta-7,9(11),22-triene-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol (3) and (22E)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3beta,5alpha,6alpha,9alpha-tetrol (4). The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data.     

New stilbenoids from Pholidota yunnanensis and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

Six new stilbenoids, a (bibenzyldihydrophenanthrene) ether designated phoyunnanin D (1), a bis(dihydrophenanthrene) ether designated phoyunnanin E (2), and four stilbenes designated phoyunbene A-D (3-6), were isolated from the air-dried whole plant of Pholidota yunnanensis ROLFE. The new compounds were identified as 7-[2-(3-hydroxyphenethyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methoxyphenoxy]-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1), 1-[(9,10-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-7-phenanthrenyl)oxy]-4,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), trans-3,3'-dihydroxy-2',4',5-trimethoxystilbene (3), trans-3,4'-dihydroxy-2',3',5-trimethoxystilbene (4), trans-3,3'-dihydroxy-2',5-dimethoxystilbene (5), and trans-3-hydroxy-2',3',5-trimethoxystilbene (6) based on spectroscopic evidence. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of compounds 1-6 on nitric oxide production in a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7) activated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma were examined.     

Synthesis and dehydration reaction of 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth-2-ol: possible intermediate of Lasofoxifene

The paper deals with a simple and sufficient synthesis of key precursor of Lasofoxifene. The 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene was prepared by a sequence of five reactions steps: first 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalene was prepared (70%), and this was quantitatively epoxidized to 7b-[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]-5-methoxy-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydronaphtho[1,2-b]oxirene. Catalytic (ZnI₂) isomerization of the epoxide gave 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-one (75%). Its subsequent reaction with phenylmagnesium bromide gave 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthol (87%). Acid-catalysed dehydration of this alcohol by polyphosphoric acid (25°C) provides 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene (80%). Dehydration in the system of acetic anhydride/polyphosphoric acid gives 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene (66%).