Short and efficient synthesis of alkylresorcinols: a route for the preparation of cannabinoids

Abstract

Alkylresorcinols (ARs) are phenolic lipids present in several plants and, from a synthetic point of view, are also versatile key intermediates for the production of many biologically active molecules. In this work, we describe a general and efficient method for the preparation of ARs, also in deuterated form. Finally, this methodology was conveniently exploited for a very rapid approach to synthesize cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV), two non-psychotropic cannabinoids with a bicyclic scaffold present in Cannabis sativa.