Short and efficient first total synthesis of the natural product chromanone A, a chromone derivative from the algicolous marine fungus Penicillium sp.

In 2009, Gamal Eldeen et al. described the isolation and structural elucidation of chromanone A. This natural product is produced by a Penicillium sp., an endophyte isolated from the Egyptian green algae Ulva sp., grown in a solid medium with biomalt. The authors evaluated its chemopreventive activity against cancer (CYP1A inhibitor). Furthermore, the natural product was shown to possess potent hydroxyl and peroxyl radical scavenging activity.

In this work, we detail the first total synthesis of chromanone A in multiple stages from the inexpensive commercial product pyrocatechol and without the use of protecting groups.