Synthesis of isochromans by hydriodic acid or iodine mediated cyclization reactions of 1-(2-vinylphenyl)propan-2-ols

Article abstract of DOI:10.3987/COM-10-12021

Treatment of 1-(2-vinylphenyl)propan-2-ols, which can be easily prepared from 2-bromostyrenes and epoxides, with hydriodic acid in acetonitrile yields the corresponding isochromans (1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyrans). When the above alcohols are treated with i

Full text of DOI:10.3987/COM-10-12021

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 81, No. 10, 2010
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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 81, No. 10, 2010, pp. 2361 - 2368. © The Japan Institute of Heterocyclic Chemistry
Received, 16th July, 2010, Accepted, 16th August, 2010, Published online, 17th August, 2010
DOI: 10.3987/COM-10-12021
SYNTHESIS OF ISOCHROMANS BY HYDRIODIC ACID OR IODINE
MEDIATED
CYCLIZATION
REACTIONS
OF
1-(2-VINYLPHENYL)PROPAN-2-OLS
Kazuhiro Kobayashi,* Kazuaki Shikata, Hiroki Maegawa, Shuhei Fukamachi,
Miyuki Tanmatsu, and Hisatoshi Konishi
Division of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology,
Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-minami,
Tottori 680-8552, Japan; E-mail: kkoba@chem.tottori-u.ac.jp
Abstract – Treatment of 1-(2-vinylphenyl)propan-2-ols, which can be easily
prepared from 2-bromostyrenes and epoxides, with hydriodic acid in acetonitrile
yields the corresponding isochromans (1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyrans). When the
above alcohols are treated with iodine in acetonitrile in the presence of sodium
hydrogencarbonate, the corresponding 1-iodomethylisochromans are obtained,
which can be easily converted into the corresponding 1-alkyl(or
aryl)sulfanylmethylisochromans on treatment with sodium thiolates in DMF.
As part of our studies on heterocycle syntheses utilizing hydriodic acid or iodine mediated cyclization of
appropriately o-substituted styrenes,1 we have previously reported on the preparation of phthalanes
(1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans) using cyclization reactions of 2-vinylbenzyl alcohols, which are easily
prepared from 2-bromostyrenes and carbonyl compounds, mediated by iodine2a or hydriodic acid.2b In this
paper, we wish to describe a convenient synthesis of isochromans from 2-bromostyrenes and epoxides.
We have found that 1-(2-vinylphenyl)propan-2-ols can be prepared by reacting 2-lithiostyrene, generated
from 2-bromostyrenes and butyllithium, with epoxides and that these alcohols are treated with hydriodic
acid or iodine to afford the corresponding isochroman derivatives in reasonable yields. Isochroman
derivatives are an important class of molecules in medicinal chemistry,3 because of their biological
activities, such as antimicrobialy3a and neurokinin-1 receptor antagonistic activity.3b Moreover, some
molecules having the isochroman skeleton have been found in nature and most of them exhibit biological
activities.4 Several excellent methods for the preparation of isochroman derivatives have recently been
reported.5 These are mainly based on the oxa-Pictet-Spengler cyclization5b,c,g,i or the [2+2+2]-
cyclotrimerization approach.5d,h The formation of a 1,1-disubstituted isochroman derivative by
TBAF-mediated
intramolecular
conjugate
addition
of
TBDMS-protected
methyl

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 81, No. 10, 2010
3-[2-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl]but-2-enoate has also been reported.5a
We first explored the possibility of the synthesis of 1,1,3-trisubstituted and 1,1,3,3-tetrasubstituted
isochromans (3) by hydriodic acid catalyzed cyclization of 1-[2-(1-alkyl(or aryl)vinyl)phenyl]propan-
2-ols (2). Transformation of ꢀ-substituted 2-bromostyrenes (1) into 3, via 2, was conducted as illustrated
in Scheme 1. The respective 2-lithiostyrenes were generated by the bromine-lithium exchange between 1
and butyllithium, and were allowed to react with epoxides, such as isobutene oxide and propylene oxide,
to give 2 in moderate-to-fair yields as listed in the Table 1. Treatment of 2 with a catalytic amount of
hydriodic acid in acetonitrile at room temperature resulted in the formation of the corresponding
isochromans 3 in moderate-to-fair yields as summarized in Table 1. The mechanism is assumed to involve
the protolytic formation of benzyl cation intermediates, which are intramolecularly trapped with hydroxy
oxygen. When 1-(2-isopropenylphenyl)propan-2-ols (2b-i) and (2b-ii) were used as the substrates (Entries
2 and 3), we found slight drops in yields compared to those of the others. In order to investigate the scope
of the present sequence, we attempted the reaction of the respective adduct, derived from
1-bromo-2-(1-phenylpropen-1-yl)benzene and isobutene oxide, with hydriodic acid to obtain
1-ethyl-3,3-dimethyl-1-phenylisochroman. Unfortunately, however, it proceeded very sluggishly under
the conditions described above to give only a trace amount of the desired product. The ꢁ-methyl group of
the vinyl moiety may make difficult in cyclization.
R3
Br
R3
Me
O
R3
R1
R2
R1
R2
R1
R2
conc. HI (cat.), MeCN, rt
1. n-BuLi, Et2O, 0 ˚C
OH
Me
O
Me
R4
Me
, 0 ˚C
2.
R4
R4
1
3
2
Scheme 1
Table 1. Preparation of isochromans 3 via 2
Entry
1
R4
Me
Me
H
Me
Me
H
2 (Yield/%)a
2a (54)
2b-i (55)
2b-ii (59)
2c (51)
2d-i (58)
2d-ii (53)
2e (50)
3 (Yield/%)a
3a (61)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1a (R1 = R2 = H, R3 = Ph)
1b (R1 = R2 = H, R3 = Me)
1b
3b-i (57)
3b-ii (55)
3c (63)
3d-i (65)
3d-ii (54)
3e (66)
1c (R1 = OMe, R2 = H, R3 = Ph)
1d (R1 = OMe, R2 = H, R3 = Me)
1d
1e (R1 = R2 = OMe, R3 = Me)
Me
a Isolated yields.
The iodine-mediated cyclization of 1-(2-vinylphenyl)propan-2-ols (2) for the synthesis of
1-iodomethylisochramans (4) was then investigated. Intramolecular iodoetheration proceeded

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 81, No. 10, 2010
2363
immediately and cleanly at 0 ˚C in acetonitrile in the presence of sodium hydrogencarbonate to afford the
desired products, as shown in Scheme 2. The yields of the products are good-to-excellent as summarized
in Table 2. Replacement of the iodo group with alkyl(or aryl)sulfanyl groups was achieved using sodium
thiolates in DMF. Reaction times, reaction conditions, and yields of the products, 1-alkyl(or
aryl)sulfanylmethylisochromans (5), are summarized in Table 2 as well.
SR5
I
R3
R3
R1
R2
R1
R2
R5SH, NaH, DMF
I2, NaHCO3, MeCN, 0 ˚C
O
O
2
Me
Me
Me
Me
4
5
Scheme 2
Table 2. Preparation of 1-(iodomethyl)isochromans 4 and 1-(sulfenylmethyl)isochromans 5
Entry
2
2a
2b-i
2c
4 (Yield/%)a
4a (94)
R5 in R5SH
4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl
4-chlorophenyl
Temp
120 ˚C
80 ˚C
rt
Time/h
5 (Yield/%)a
5a (72)
5b (70)
5c (70)
5d (76)
1
2
3
4
3
4
3
4
4b (80)
4c (92)
4d (80)
Bn
Ph
2d-i
80 ˚C
a Isolated yields.
In conclusion, we have demonstrated that hydriodic acid or iodine mediated cyclization reactions of
1-(2-vinylphenyl)propan-2-ols provides easy routes to isochromans, which are hard to prepare by the
previous methods. The present methods may find some value in organic synthesis, because the reactions
are experimentally very simple and the starting materials are readily available.
EXPERIMENTAL
The melting points were obtained on a Laboratory Devices MEL-TEMP II melting apparatus and are
1
uncorrected. IR spectra were determined with a Shimadzu FTIR-8300 spectrophotometer. The H NMR
spectra were determined in CDCl3 using TMS as an internal reference with a JEOL ECP500 FT NMR
13
spectrometer operating at 500 MHz. The C NMR spectra were determined in CDCl3 using TMS as an
internal reference with a JEOL ECP500 FT NMR spectrometer operating at 125 MHz. Low-resolution
MS spectra (EI, 70 eV) m were measured by a JEOL JMS AX505 HA spectrometer. TLC was carried out
on a Merck Kieselgel 60 PF254. Column chromatography was performed using Merck Kieselgel 60
(0.063–0.200 mm). All of the organic solvents used in this study were dried over appropriate drying
agents and distilled prior to use.
Starting Materials. 2-Bromostyrenes (1a),6 (1b),7 (1c),8 (1d),8 and (1e)9 were prepared by the appropriate

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reported methods. All other chemicals used in this study were commercially available.
General Procedure for the Preparation of 1-(2-vinylphenyl)propan-2-ols 2. 2-Methyl-1-[2-(1-
phenylethenyl)phenyl]propan-2-ol (2a). To a stirred solution of 1a (0.43 g, 1.7 mmol) in Et2O (5 mL) at
0 ˚C was added n-BuLi (1.6 M in hexane; 1.7 mmol) dropwise. After 1 h 2,2-dimethyloxiran (0.12 g, 1.7
mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for an additional 3 h at the same temperature before
addition of saturated aqueous NH4Cl (10 mL). The mixture was extracted with Et2O twice (10 mL each),
and the combined extracts were washed with brine and dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. Evaporation of the
solvent gave a residue, which was purified by column chromatography on silica gel to afford 2a (0.23 g,
54%); a yellow oil; Rf 0.17 (1:9 AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 3402, 1612 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.09 (s, 6H), 1.42
(s, 1H), 2.54 (s, 2H), 5.27 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.79 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.23–7.36 (m, 9H). Anal. Calcd
for C18H20O: C, 85.67; H, 7.99. Found: C, 85.64; H, 7.85.
2-Methyl-1-[2-(1-methylethenyl)phenyl]propan-2-ol (2b-i): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.15 (1:5
C6H6–hexane); IR (neat) 3403, 1640 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.20 (s, 6H), 1.48 (s, 1H), 2.06 (s, 3H), 2.90 (s, 2H),
4.89 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 5.22 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (dd, J = 6.9, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.19–7.21 (m, 2H), 7.32
(dd, J = 7.3, 1.4 Hz, 1H). Anal. Calcd for C13H18O: C, 82.06; H, 9.53. Found: C, 81.84; H, 9.56.
1-[2-(1-Methylethenyl)phenyl]propan-2-ol (2b-ii): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.28 (1:10 AcOEt–hexane); IR
(neat) 3364, 1640 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.23 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.50 (s, 1H), 2.05 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 3H), 2.75
(dd, J = 13.7, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 2.84 (dd, J = 13.7, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.03–4.04 (m, 1H), 4.85 (quint, J = 0.9 Hz,
1H), 5.21 (quint, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (dd, J = 8.7, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.18–7.25 (m, 3H). Anal. Calcd for
C12H16O: C, 81.77; H, 9.15. Found: C, 81.51; H, 9.30.
1-[4-Methoxy-2-(1-phenylethenyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropan-2-ol (2c): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.19 (1:5
1
AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 3441, 1607 cm–1; H NMR ꢀ 1.08 (s, 6H), 1.61 (s, 1H), 2.46 (s, 2H), 3.83 (s,
3H), 5.28 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.78 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.7 Hz,
1H), 7.24–7.30 (m, 6H). Anal. Calcd for C19H22O2: C, 80.82; H, 7.85. Found: C, 80.53; H, 8.14.
1-[4-Methoxy-2-(1-methylethenyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropan-2-ol (2d-i): a colorless oil; Rf 0.25 (1:5
AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 3414, 1640, 1607 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.18 (s, 6H), 1.57 (s, 1H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.83
(s, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 4.89 (s, 1H), 5.21 (q, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.77 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.7
Hz, 1H), 7.23 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H). Anal. Calcd for C14H20O2: C, 76.33; H, 9.15. Found: C, 76.06; H, 9.35.
1-[4-Methoxy-2-(1-methylethenyl)phenyl]propan-2-ol (2d-ii): a colorless oil; Rf 0.20 (1:8
AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 3406, 1607 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.21 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.48 (s, 1H), 2.04 (d, J =
1.4 Hz, 3H), 2.67 (dd, J = 13.7, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (dd, J = 13.7, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.96–4.01 (m,
1H), 4.85 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 5.20 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (dd, J = 8.7, 2.7 Hz,
1H), 7.15 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H). Anal. Calcd for C13H18O2: C, 75.69; H, 8.80. Found: C, 75.63; H, 8.80.
1-[4,5-Dimethoxy-2-(1-methylethenyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropan-2-ol (2e): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.08
1
(1:5 Et2O–hexane); IR (neat) 3447, 1640, 1607 cm–1; H NMR ꢀ 1.20 (s, 6H), 1.45 (s, 1H), 2.04 (s, 3H),

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 81, No. 10, 2010
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2.83 (s, 2H), 3.866 (s, 3H), 3.870 (s, 3H), 4,88 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 5.20 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H),
6.86 (s, 1H). Anal. Calcd for C15H22O3: C, 71.97; H, 8.86. Found: C, 71.96; H, 8.92.
Typical Procedure for Preparation of 1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyrans 3. 1,3,3-Trimethyl-1-phenyl-
1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (3a). To a stirred solution of 2a (0.16 g, 0.65 mmol) in MeCN (5 mL) at 0
˚C was added a drop of concentrated HI; the mixture was then stirred for 1 h at rt before addition of
saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (10 mL). After evaporation of MeCN, the mixture was extracted with Et2O
three times (10 mL each), and the combined extracts were washed with brine and dried over anhydrous
Na2SO4. Evaporation of the solvent gave a residue, which was purified by preparative TLC on silica gel to
afford 3a (0.10 g, 61%); a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.59 (1:9 AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 1599 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ
1.06 (s, 3H), 1.32 (s, 3H), 1.82 (s, 3H), 2.56 (s, 2H), 7.12 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (tt, J = 7.3, 1.4 Hz,
1H), 7.20–7.35 (m, 3H), 7.27–7.31 (m, 3H), 7.36 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H); MS m/z 252 (M+, 2.9), 237 (100).
Anal. Calcd for C18H20O: C, 85.67; H, 7.99. Found: C, 85.53; H, 8.13.
1,1,3,3-Tetramethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (3b-i): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.59 (C6H6); IR (neat)
1
1163, 1018, 758 cm–1; H NMR ꢀ 1.23 (s, 6H), 1.51 (s, 6H), 2.72 (s, 2H), 7.05 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H),
7.14–7.23 (m, 3H); 13C NMR ꢀ 28.99, 32.58, 41.61, 71.00, 74.05, 124.75, 126.02, 126.37, 128.66, 132.56,
142.44. Anal. Calcd for C13H18O: C, 82.06; H, 9.53. Found: C, 82.02; H, 9.50.
1,1,3-Trimethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (3b-ii): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.24 (1:2 C6H6–hexane); IR
(neat) 1121, 1065, 758 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.33 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 3H), 1.52 (s, 3H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 2.63 (dd, J =
16.0, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 2.68 (dd, J = 16.0, 10.5 Hz, 1H), 3.93–4.00 (m, 1H), 7.05 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H),
7.10–7.14 (m, 2H), 7.17 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR ꢀ 21.98, 28.77, 31.59, 37.15, 64.68, 75.24, 125.26,
125.88, 126.07, 128.61, 133.25, 142.85. Anal. Calcd for C12H16O: C, 81.77; H, 9.15. Found: C, 81.79; H,
9.23.
7-Methoxy-1,3,3-trimethyl-1-phenyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (3c): a colorless oil; Rf 0.31 (1:20
Et2O–hexane); IR (neat) 1614 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.04 (s, 3H), 1.30 (s, 3H), 1.80 (s, 3H), 2.48 (s, 2H), 3.83
(s, 3H), 6.81 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (tt, J = 7.3,
1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 7.31 (dd, J = 7.3, 1.4 Hz, 2H);13C NMR ꢀ 29.36, 30.19, 31.37,
40.34, 55.31, 73.32, 78.03, 111.62, 112.27, 126.05, 126.54, 126.90, 127.73, 129.22, 142.24, 148.46,
158.00. Anal. Calcd for C19H22O2: C, 80.82; H, 7.85. Found: C, 80.74; H, 8.06.
7-Methoxy-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (3d-i): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.56 (1:10
1
AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 1614 cm–1; H NMR ꢀ 1.22 (s, 6H), 1.50 (s, 6H), 2.65 (s, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H),
6.71–6.74 (m, 2H), 6.98 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR ꢀ 28.93, 32.53, 40.77, 55.26, 71.18, 74.12, 110.81,
111.20, 124.89, 129.44, 143.62, 158.13. Anal. Calcd for C14H20O2: C, 76.33; H, 9.15. Found: C, 76.26; H,
9.19.
7-Methoxy-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (3d-ii): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.33 (1:15
AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 1614 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.31 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 2.59

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(d, J = 13.7 Hz, 1H), 2.61 (d, J = 13.7 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.89–3.96 (m, 1H), 6.64 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H),
13
6.71 (d, J = 8.2, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H); C NMR ꢀ 21.95, 28.72, 31.57, 36.33, 55.26,
64.91, 75.28, 110.94, 111.52, 125.46, 129.40, 143.97, 157.81. Anal. Calcd for C13H18O2: C, 75.69; H, 8.80.
Found: C, 75.63; H, 8.95.
6,7-Dimethoxy-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (3e): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.28 (1:10
1
AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 1613 cm–1; H NMR ꢀ 1.23 (s, 6H), 1.49 (s, 6H), 2.64 (s, 2H), 3.866 (s, 3H),
13
3.872 (s, 3H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H); C NMR ꢀ 28.97, 32.55, 41.11, 55.84, 56.11, 71.04, 73.86,
108.39, 111.50, 124.75, 134.18, 147.33, 147.51. Anal. Calcd for C15H22O3: C, 71.97; H, 8.86. Found: C,
71.85; H, 8.82.
Typical Procedure for the Preparation of 1-Iodomethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyrans 4.
1-Iodomethyl-3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (4a). To a stirred solution of 3a
(0.19 g, 0.74 mmol) in MeCN containing NaHCO3 (0.19 g, 2.2 mmol) at 0 ˚C was added I2 (0.57 g, 2.2
mmol) in portions; the mixture was stirred for 30 min at the same temperature. Ten percent aqueous
Na2S2O3 was added until the color of I2 disappeared. The mixture was extracted with Et2O three times (10
mL each), and the combined extracts were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 and brine and then
dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. After evaporation of the solvent, the residual solid was recrystallized to
give 4a (0.26 g, 94%); a white solid; mp 134–135 ˚C (hexane–Et2O); IR (KBr) 1265, 1065, 1015 cm–1; 1H
NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) ꢀ 1.17 (s, 3H), 1.28 (s, 3H), 2.46 (d, J = 14.7 Hz, 1H), 2.62 (d, J = 14.7 Hz, 1H),
3.73 (d, J = 11.0 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (d, J = 11.0 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.22–7.26 (m, 3H),
7.30–7.37 (m, 5H); MS m/z 378 (M+, 0.9), 251 (8.1), 237 (100). Anal. Calcd for C18H19IO: C, 57.16; H,
5.06. Found: C, 56.92; H, 5.05.
1-Iodomethyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (4b): a pale-yellow oil; Rf 0.37 (1:5
AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 1159, 1041 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.16 (s, 3H), 1.38 (s, 3H), 1.69 (s, 3H), 2.63 (d, J
= 15.4 Hz, 1H), 2.97 (d, J = 15.4 Hz, 1H), 3.44 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H), 3.51 (dd, J = 10.3, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.08
(d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.18–7.28 (m, 2H). Anal. Calcd for C13H17IO: C, 49.38; H,
5.42. Found: C, 49.15; H, 5.55.
1-Iodomethyl-7-methoxy-3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (4c): a pale-yellow
solid; mp 82–85 ˚C (hexane); IR (KBr) 1614, 1231, 1041 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.16 (s, 3H), 1.28 (s, 3H), 2.38
(d, J = 15.1 Hz, 1H), 2.55 (d, J = 15.1 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (d, J = 11.0 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (d, J = 11.0 Hz, 1H), 3.87
(s, 3H), 6.87 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.92 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.22–7.25 (m,
3H), 7.37 (dd, J = 7.3, 1.4 Hz, 2H). Anal. Calcd for C19H21IO2: C, 55.89; H, 5.18. Found: C, 55.85; H,
4.99.
1-Iodomethyl-7-methoxy-1,3,3-trimethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (4d): a pale-yellow oil; Rf
0.26 (1:15 AcOEt–hexane); IR (neat) 1612, 1282, 1041 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.14 (s, 3H), 1.37 (s, 3H), 1.67 (s,
3H), 2.56 (d, J = 15.1 Hz, 1H), 2.89 (d, J = 15.1 Hz, 1H), 3.43 (d, J = 10.1 Hz, 1H), 3.49 (d, J = 10.1 Hz,

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1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 6.68 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H). Anal.
Calcd for C14H19IO2: C, 48.57; H, 5.53. Found: C, 48.53; H, 5.50.
Typical Procedure for the Preparation of 1-Sulfenylmethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyrans 5.
1-[(4,6-Dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)sulfanylmehtyl]-3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran
(5a). To a stirred suspension of NaH (60% in oil; 21 mg, 0.53 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) at 0 ˚C was added a
solution of 4,6-dimethyl-2-sulfanylpyrimidine (67 mg, 0.48 mmol) in DMF (2 mL). After evolution of H2
ceased, a solution of 4a (0.17 g, 0.44 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was added. Then the mixture was heated at
120 ˚C for 3 h. After cooling saturated aqueous NH4Cl (10 mL) was added and the organic materials were
extracted with Et2O three times (10 mL each). The combined extracts were washed with brine, dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4, and concentrated by evaporation. The residue was purified by preparative TLC on
silica gel to give 5a (0.11 g, 62%); white crystals; mp 143–144 ˚C (hexane–Et2O); IR (KBr) 1580, 1263,
1063 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.09 (s, 3H), 1.30 (s, 3H), 2.36 (s, 6H), 2.47 (d, J = 15.1 Hz, 1H), 2.60 (d, J = 15.1
Hz, 1H), 3.84 (d, J = 13.0 Hz, 1H), 4.22 (d, J = 13.0 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 7.09 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H),
7.19–7.27 (m, 5H), 7.41 (dd, J = 7.3, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 7.47 (dd, J = 7.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H); MS m/z 390 (M+, 1.7),
237 (100). Anal. Calcd for C24H26N2OS: C, 73.81; H, 6.71; N, 7.17. Found: C, 73.71; H, 6.68; N, 7.12.
1-[(4-Chlorophenyl)sulfanylmethyl]-1,3,3-trimethyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (5b): a beige
1
solid; mp 68–70 ˚C (hexane); IR (KBr) 1096, 1011 cm–1; H NMR ꢀ 1.13 (s, 3H), 1.27 (s, 3H), 1.66 (s,
3H), 2.59 (d, J = 15.1 Hz, 1H), 2.95 (d, J = 15.1 Hz, 1H), 3.22 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 1H), 3.35 (d, J = 12.8 Hz,
13
1H), 7.06–7.19 (m, 8H); C NMR ꢀ 27.23, 29.53, 30.14, 41.46, 50.82, 71.58, 76.30, 124.88, 126.47,
126.76, 128.53, 128.72, 130.63, 131.36, 134.05, 136.81, 139.21; MS m/z 332 (M+, 0.3), 175 (100). Anal.
Calcd for C19H21ClOS: C, 68.55; H, 6.36. Found: C, 68.50; H, 6.37.
1-(Benzylsulfanylmethyl)-7-methoxy-3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (5c): a
yellow oil; Rf 0.11 (1:20 Et2O–hexane); IR (neat) 1614, 1232, 1040 cm–1; 1H NMR ꢀ 1.12 (s, 3H), 1.27 (s,
3H), 2.39 (d, J = 14.7 Hz, 1H), 2.53 (d, J = 14.7 Hz, 1H), 3.01 (d, J = 13.7 Hz, 1H), 3.10 (d, J = 13.7 Hz,
1H), 3.70 (d, J = 13.3 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (d, J = 13.3 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 6.80 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.83 (dd,
J = 8.2, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.03 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (dd, J = 7.8, 7.3 Hz, 2H),
13
7.27–7.31 (m, 7H); C NMR ꢀ 29.37, 29.74, 37.86, 40.28, 44.03, 55.33, 73.69, 81.38, 112.29, 112.89,
126.68, 126.78, 126.99, 127.73, 127.82, 128.35, 129.12, 129.45, 138.84, 138.95, 146.57, 157.68. Anal.
Calcd for C26H28O2S: C, 77.19; H, 6.98. Found: C, 77.15; H, 7.27.
7-Methoxy-1,3,3-trimethyl-1-(phenylsulfanylmethyl)-1H-3,4-dihydro-2-benzopyran (5d): a beige
1
solid; mp 187 ˚C (decomp) (hexane); IR (KBr) 1616, 1296, 1030 cm–1; H NMR ꢀ 1.12 (s, 3H), 1.26 (s,
3H), 1.65 (s, 3H), 2.53 (d, J = 14.7 Hz, 1H), 2.88 (d, J = 14.7 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (d, J = 13.3 Hz, 1H), 3.36 (d,
J = 13.3 Hz, 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 6.67 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (d, J = 8.2 Hz,
1H), 7.09 (tt, J = 7.3, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (dd, J = 7.8, 7.3 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.4 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR
ꢀ 27.27, 29.48, 29.96, 40.65, 50.33, 55.25, 71.75, 76.35, 111.06, 111.93, 125.46, 128.48, 129.35 (2C),

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129.45, 138.24, 140.50, 158.11. Anal. Calcd for C20H24O2S: C, 73.13; H, 7.36. Found: C, 72.91; H, 7.41.
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