Solvent-controlled hydrogenation of 2’-hydroxychalcones: a simple solution to the total synthesis of Bussealins

Abstract

A solvent-controlled hydrogenation of 2’-hydroxychalcones to selectively obtain different hydrogenation products is herein reported. Thus, hydrogenation of 2’-hydroxychalcones using EtOH as solvent provided the corresponding 1,3-diarylpropanes in excellent yields. On the contrary, when the hydrogenation was performed in DCM, the corresponding dihydrochalcones were isolated. Switching the reaction solvent to n-BuOH/H2O (1:1), afforded 1,3-diarylpropanols from moderate to good yields. The methodology here reported offers a straightforward, simple and cost-effective method for the preparation of a wide variety of 2’- hydroxy-1,3-diarylpropanes derivatives, and was also applied to the preparation of natural Bussealins C and D