Preparation of 6-substituted 4-chromanones

摘要

Disclosed is a practical and efficient process for preparing 6-substituted 4-chromanones from phenolic acrylate ester compounds derivable from para-substituted phenolic or thiophenolic compounds and beta-unsubstituted acrylic acid compounds which are esterifiable therewith. The process includes effecting rearrangement of a phenolic or thiophenolic acrylate ester in the presence of a rearrangement effective amount of hydrogen fluoride to the corresponding hydroxy-or mercapto (vinyl ketone) wherein the carbonyl carbon atom of the vinyl carboxy group is directly attached to the benzene ring ortho to the hydroxy or mercapto group. Thereafter, the vinyl ketone is cyclized to the corresponding 6-substituted 4-chromanone in the presence of a cyclization-effective amount of hydrogen fluoride. The 6-substituted 4-chromanones prepared by the process are useful as intermediates for preparing pharmaceutical agents.