A novel entry to xanthones by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction involving 2-(1,2-dichlorovinyloxy) aryl dienones

A wide array of synthetic methods are described in the literature for the preparation of xanthones a prominent class of tricyclic molecules that occur widely in nature. Majority of these reported methods involve linking the two aromatic rings and forming the central pyrone ring using a variety of classical and non-classical cyclization strategies. In a conceptually different approach, we describe here a new xanthone synthesis wherein both the pyrone and the second aromatic rings were forged in a single step by an intramolecular cycloaddition reaction involving 2-(1,2-dichlorovinyloxy) aryldienones. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.