Advances in the methodology of a multicomponent synthesis of arylnaphthalene lactones

Material and energy inefficiencies in total synthesis can arise from a lack of step economy. Multicomponent syntheses have the potential to optimize step economy and, in turn, to minimize not only waste, but also exposure to hazardous chemicals. Therefore, multicomponent syntheses are of immense interest to the field of Green Chemistry. Herein is described a multicomponent synthesis of arylnaphthalene lignan lactones, which are valuable natural products with promising anticancer and antiviral properties. In an effort to improve our previously reported one-pot, multicomponent synthesis an approach using phenylacetylene, phenylpropargyl chloride, carbon dioxide, catalytic silver iodide, and catalytic 18-crown-6 ether was developed. This methodology was then successfully applied to the preparation of dehydrodimethylconidendrin and its regioisomer, dehydrodimethylretroconidendrin.