Expedited access to novel hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) inhibitory benzyl aryl ketones via a decarboxylative Claisen condensation or tandem decarboxylative Claisen condensation–alkylation

Abstract

A series of benzyl aryl ketones, which are potentially important HIF-1α inhibitors, were efficiently prepared by the decarboxylative Claisen condensation reaction. The reaction required no redox process for the ketone moiety, resulting in a one step sequence. This procedure also effectively provided a key α-alkylbenzyl aryl ketone intermediate by tandem decarboxylative Claisen condensation–alkylation.