An efficient strategy for protecting dihydroxyl groups of catechols
A novel strategy for protecting dihydroxyl groups of catechols has been developed. Base-mediated cyclizations of catechols with 1,3-dibromopropane provided the corresponding benzo[b]1,4-dioxepans, and herefrom the protecting group was easily cleaved by aluminum chloride. The preparation of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 4-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)benzene-1,2-diol from catechol reliably verified its availability amenable to various harsh reaction conditions. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart - New York.