Naturally occurring compounds related to phenalenone. Part VI. Synthesis of atrovenetin (8,9-dihydro-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy-1,8,8,9-tetra-methylphenaleno[1,2-b]furan-7-one) and related compounds

Abstract

A synthesis of (±)-atrovenetin (19b) in ten steps from 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde (5c) is described. A number of related phenalenone derivatives, including norxanthoherquein (2,3,4,7,8,9-hexahydroxy-6-methylphenalen-1-one)(27), one of the principal degradation products of norherqueinone (2), have also been synthesised.