Flavan Derivatives. VII. The Stereochemical Course of the Synthesis of 2,3-cis-Flavan-3,4-trans-diol Diacetates, and the 2,4-cis-Stereochemistry of Flavan-4β-ols

Abstract

Lithium aluminium hydride reduces 2,3-trans-3-bromo-4'-methoxy-6-methyl-flavanone to 2,3-trans-3,4-trans-3-bromo-4'-methoxy-methylflvan-4-ol which is converted by acetic anhydride-potassium acetate into 3,4-trans-diacetoxy-4'-methoxy-6-methyl-2,3-cis-flavan. Similar reactions with the 3',4'-dimethoxy analogue give 3,4-trans-diacetoxy-3',4'-dimethoxy-6-methyl-2,3-cis-flavan. The corresponding cis-bromoflavanones are reduced to 2,3-cis-3,4-cis-3-bromoflavan-4-ols.