Abstract
A concise formal synthesis of (±)-shikonin via a highly α-regioselective prenylation is achieved. The novelty of the procedure lies in the introduction of side chain of shikonin in one step via prenylation of 1, 4, 5, 8- tetramethoxynaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde under mild conditions without producing any γ-isomer.
Keywords: Shikonin, synthesis, regioselectivity, prenylation, oxonia-cope rearrangement