Total synthesis of (±)-simonsol C using dearomatization as key reaction under acidic conditions

• Xiao-Yang Bi,
• Xiao-Shuai Yang,
• Shan-Shan Chen,
• Jia-Jun Sui,
• Zhao-Nan Cai,
• Yong-Ming Chuan and
• Hong-Bo Qin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 601–606, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.47

• Xiao-Yang Bi Xiao-Shuai Yang Shan-Shan Chen Jia-Jun Sui Zhao-Nan Cai Yong-Ming Chuan Hong-Bo Qin School of Chemistry and Environment, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming 650000, China 10.3762/bjoc.21.47 Abstract The total synthesis of (±)-simonsol C was accomplished using a dearomatization under

• route. Keywords: acidic dearomazation; benzofuran; (±)-simonsol C; total synthesis; Introduction Star anise, derived from Illicium species cultivated in southeastern China [1] possesses significant economic, culinary, and medicinal value [2]. Particularly noteworthy are its medicinal properties

• , including insecticidal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neurotrophic activities [3]. In 2013, Wang’s group isolated (±)-simonsol C from star anise, which features a unique 6/5/6 tricyclic benzofuran structure [4]. They found that it exhibits biological activity that promotes neuronal