Rearrangement of 5-O-prenyl flavones: a regioselective access to 6-C-(1,1-dimethylallyl)- and 8-C-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-flavones

Regioselective control of the Claisen rearrangement of 7-MEM-5-prenyl chrysin was achieved by microwave irradiation. The nature of the products was influenced by the irradiation power and the type of solvent. Irradiation at 750 W in N,N-diethylaniline specifically yielded the 8-(3,3-dimethylallyl) para-rearranged product while refluxing in N,N-diethylbutylamine gave selective access to the 6-(1,1-dimethylallyl) ortho-rearranged compound.