| abstract |
A method for preparing (±)-calanolide A, 1, a potent HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor, from chromene 4 is provided. Useful intermediates for preparing (±)-calanolide A and its derivatives are also provided. n According to the disclosed method, chromene 4 intermediate was reacted with acetaldehyde diethyl acetal in the presence of an acid catalyst with heating to produce chromanone 7. Reduction of chromene 7 with sodium borohydride, in the presence of cerium trichloride, produced (±)-calanolide A, which was purified chromatographically. |