Regioselective hydroxylation of 2-hydroxychalcones by dimethyldioxirane towards polymethoxylated flavonoids

The flavone nucleus is part of a large number of natural products and medicinal compounds. In this presentation the novel regioselective hydroxylation of hydroxyarenes with DMD is described. The results showed further that flavonoids with 5-hydroxy group were selectively oxyfunctionalized at the para-position C8 carbon atom by DMD. Finally, according to this methodology, the naturally occurring isosinensetin, tangeretin, sinensetin, nobiletin, natsudaidain, gardenin B, 3,3',4',5,6,7,8-heptamethoxyflavone, quercetin and its derivatives were synthesized. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.