One-Pot Heck and Reduction: Application towards Efficient Synthesis of Flavans Promoted by Lewis Acid

An effective two-step process for the synthesis of functionalized flavans is presented. The proposed route comprises onepot method involving Heck reaction with allylic alcohols and 2-iodophenols followed by reduction. These diols upon treatment with the Lewis acid mediated intramolecular cyclization, under mild reaction conditions, afforded the flavans.