Benzannulation of Substituted 3-Alkoxycarbonylhex-3-en-5-ynoic Acids: A New Route to 4-Substituted 3,5-Dihydroxybenzoic Acids Derivatives.

A new regioselective pathway to 4-substituted 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids derivatives is described here. According to this procedure substituted propargylic aldehydes are converted into substituted 3-alkoxycarbonylhex-3-en-5-ynoic acids, which are in turn, treated with acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium acetate to give the substituted benzoic acids derivatives. The aromatic moiety constructed using the latter benzannulation reaction is formed in regioselective fashion and a range of substituents are tolerated.