Total synthesis of breviscapin B via intramolecular dehydrative etherification

Abstract

The total synthesis of breviscapin B, a norlignan natural product having an unusual 2,2-diaryltetrahydrofuran skeleton, has been achieved via intramolecular dehydrative Williamson ether synthesis as a key step. The use of a combination of p-TsOH·H₂O and polyfluorinated alcohol was found as an effective method for the synthesis of 2-aryl-substituted saturated oxygen heterocycles.