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

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.

Automated summary

This work presents a general and efficient method for the preparation of alkylresorcinols (ARs) and their deuterated form, which are versatile key intermediates for synthesizing biologically active molecules. The methodology was further applied to the synthesis of two non-psychotropic cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV), found in Cannabis sativa.