AN EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF 5,7-DIMETHOXY-4-METHYLPHTHALIDE, A KEY INTERMEDIATE IN THE SYNTHESIS OF MYCOPHENOLIC ACID

Abstract An efficient synthetic pathway is described for 5,7-dimethoxy-4-methylphthalide, a key intermediate in the synthesis of mycophenolic acid and its analogues. The procedure starts from methyl 3,5-dimethoxybenzoate and involves five simple steps to give phthalide 3 in 55% overall yield.