Photochemistry of Alkylated 4,4-Dimethoxy-2,5-cyclohexadienones in Methanol. Synthesis of Methyl Ester of (+/-)-Desepoxy-2,5-didehydromethylenomycin A

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(92)88165-2

Alkylated 4,4-dimethoxy-2,5-cyclohexadienones were irradiated in methanol to give 2-cyclopentenone derivatives in fair yields.Methyl ester of (+/-)-desepoxy-2,5-didehydromethylenomycin A was prepared from 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone monomethyl ether in four steps and 36percent overall yield using this photochemical reaction as a key step.