The desymmetrisation of resorcinol: The synthesis of resorcinol monoalkyl ethers

The desymmetrisation of resorcinol to give 3-alkoxyresorcinol derivatives can be achieved in excellent yields either from resorcinol monobenzoate and alcohols using Mitsunobu reactions followed by hydrolysis using a strong base or by using 3-iodophenylbenzyl ether as a resorcinol monobenzyl ether equivalent in reactions with alcohols catalysed by copper(I)-9,10-phenanthroline followed by ammonium formate-palladium catalysed hydrogenolysis.