Synthesis of Substituted Resorcinol Monomethyl Ethers from 2-Bromo-3-methoxycyclohex-2-en-1-ones.

2-Bromo-3-methoxycyclohex-2-en-1-ones are readily alkylated at C-6 with reactive halides, and then treatment with DBU (2 equiv) in PhMe at room temperature results in smooth loss of bromide and aromatization to resorcinol monomethyl ethers of defined substitution pattern.