Abstract A new method for the preparation of methoxyisatins from the corresponding methoxyanilines is described. The resulting methoxyisatins were used in the syntheses of several methoxytryptanthrin compounds. The natural product ophiuroidine (4, 8, 9- trihydroxytryptanthrin) was obtained from the appropriate trimethoxy precursor using a microwave-mediated Prey demethylation.
[Hewlins, Michael J. E.; Jackson, Anthony H.; Oliveira-Campos Ana-M.; Shannon, Patrick V. R. Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1: Organic and Bio-Organic Chemistry (1972-1999), 1981 , p. 2906 - 2911]
