A new strategy for the synthesis of 3-cinnamoyl-2-styrylchromones and their transformation into new xanthenodiones derivatives

23rd ISHC Congress will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from July 31 August 4, 2011.

Chromones are a class of oxygen heterocyclic compounds widely distributed in Nature. 2-Styrylchromones are, however, a small and rare naturally occurring chromones; only three derivatives have been isolated, two from the marine blue green algae Chrysophaeum taylori1 and one from the rhizomes of Imperata cylindrical. Even so, 2-styrylchromone derivatives are associated with noticeable biological activities. Our group has also been interested in the synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-aroylflavones and found that 3’,4’,5,7-tetrahydroxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)flavone is a potential antioxidant agent. As part of our continuing work on the synthesis and antioxidant evaluations of polyhydroxy-2-styrylchromones,4 we set up a program aiming the synthesis of 3-cinnamoyl-2-styrylchromone (2) bearing hydroxyl groups, features considered essential to be good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

Thanks are due to the University of Aveiro, to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and FEDER for funding the Organic Chemistry Research Unit. We are also grateful to the Portuguese National NMR Network (RNRMN) supported with funds from FCT.