A simple synthesis of racemic 8-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-3-methyl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarin or kigelin, a metabolite of Aspergillus terreus and Kigelia pinnata, exhibiting several bioactivities, is described. 3,4,5-Trimethoxyhomophthalic acid was refluxed with acetic anhydride in dry pyridine to afford 2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-(2-oxopropyl)benzoic acid. Reduction of the latter followed by cyclodehydration yielded 6,7,8-trimethoxy-3-methyl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarin which on regioselective demethylation furnished the (±)-kigelin.
dihydroisocoumarin; Kigelia pinnata; Aspergillus terreus
