Total synthesis of puerarin, an isoflavone C-glycoside

We completed the first total synthesis of puerarin (1), an isoflavone C-glycoside. The key intermediate, beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2,6-dimethoxybenzene (9), was obtained by coupling of a lithiated aromatic reagent (3) with pyranolactone (2) in 56% yield. Condensation of (16) with p-methoxybenzaldehyde gave the chalcone (17). The protected chalcone (18) was cyclized to (19) in the presence of Tl(NO3)(3). Demethylation of (19) was accomplished by refluxing with TMSI in CH3CN to give puerarin (1). (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.