An efficient synthesis of dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans and their an alogues has been developed. Based on a Stobbe condensation of piperonal or veratraldehyde with diethylsuccinate and alkylation with 3, 4-methylenedioxybenzyl bromide to give the skeleton of the lignan. The (±)-diacid was resolved with quinine and the functional groups were transformed to obtain three benzylbutyrolactone lignans and seven analogues. Four ...
