Chromenylation of 2-naphthol and alkylhydroquinones: short syntheses of (2RS,4′R,8′R)-α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and (2RS,4′R,8′R)-β-tocopherol
Abstract
Chromenylation of alkylhydroquinones (and 2-naphthol) can be effected by heating aryloxymagnesium bromides with α-unsaturated acetals in benzene thus providing short and simple syntheses of α- and β-tocopherol and a prenylogue of α-tocotrienol.