The synthesis of substituted phenols from pyranone precursors

The syntheses of various substituted phenols from pyranone precursors, namely 4H-pyran-4-one, 3-(benzyloxy)-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (benzyl-maltol), 2,6-dimethyl-4H-pyran-4-one and diethyl 4-oxo-4H-pyran-2,6-dicarboxylate (diethyl chelidonate) are presented. A variety of pronucleophiles were used in combination with tert-butanol as solvent and potassium tert-butoxide as base, using conventional heating methods and microwave conditions.