One-Step Synthesis of Methoxylated Phloroglucinol Derivatives Promoted by Niobium Pentachloride: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach

Phloroglucinol derivatives are an important class of natural compounds featuring the rhodomyrtone derivatives. In this work, the synthesis of compounds with a structure core of rhodomyrtosone I is described using a multicomponent reaction between aldehyde derivatives, dihydroresorcinol, and 3,5-dimethoxyphenol promoted by niobium pentachloride. This new method is simple, cost-effective, and provides a good yield. In addition, it can be conducted in good reaction times. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies, bases are provided for a proposed reaction mechanism for the multicomponent reaction by exploring the energetics of proposed reactive intermediates and transition states.