An efficient synthesis of (+)-decursinol from umbelliferone

An efficient, practical and enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-decursinol, which has diverse range of biological properties including anti-cancer, anti-Helicobacter pylori, and strong antinociceptive activities, has been achieved in five steps with 41.4% overall yield from umbelliferone. The improved ring construction from coumarin to linear pyranocoumarin has been obtained through quinonemethide intermediate by using phenylboronic acid with propionic acid. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.