A novel synthesis of 1-(2,4,6-trihydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethanone (di-C-methylphloracetophenone) and two new non-aromatic C-benzylated derivatives

The synthesis of the title compound 1e was achieved by an easy three‐step procedure from 1,3,5‐benzenetriol (1a, phloroglucinol). Compound 1a was C‐methylated using MeI. The crude mixture obtained was acetylated to give 1d which was converted into 1e using BF3 AcOH complex. Benzylation of the latter with benzyl chloride afforded the new non‐aromatic compound 2. Reaction of 2 with NaOH and benzoyl chloride (Scheme 1) gave the new compound 4. Its structure was established by X‐ray analysis.