A Convenient Synthesis of 2-Alkyl-mono-O-alkylated and 2-Alkyl Resorcinols

The title C, O -dialkylated resorcinols have seldom been prepared. We have developed a practical synthesis of this class of compounds starting with cyclohexane-1,3-dione. The key features of the synthesis are mono-O-alkylation of a 2-alkyl cyclohexane-1,3-dione and Pd-C catalyzed or NBS/DBU annuitization of the resultant O-alkyl-2-alkyl cyclohexane-1,3-dione. The use of cyclohexane-1,3-dione allows regioselective alkylations that would not be possible with resorcinol itself. A convenient synthesis of 2-alkyl resorcinols from cyclohexane-1,3-dione has also been achieved.