Sequential Ketene Generation from Dioxane-4,6-dione-keto-dioxinones for the Synthesis of Terpenoid Resorcylates

Trapping of the ketene generated from the thermolysis of 2-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione-keto-dioxinone at 50 °C with primary, secondary, or tertiary alcohols gave the corresponding dioxinone β-keto-esters in good yield under neutral conditions. These intermediates were converted by palladium(0)-catalyzed decarboxylative allyl migration and aromatization into the corresponding β-resorcylates. These transformations were applied to the syntheses of the natural products (±)-cannabiorci­chromenic and (±)-dauri­chromenic acid.