Abstract
3-(2 ' ,3 ' ,4 ' -Trimethoxyphenyl)isocourmarin (7) was synthesized by the condensation of homophthalic acid (5) with 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzoyl chloride (6) which on alkine hydrolysis gave the keto-acid (8). (dl)-3-(2 ' ,3 ' ,4 ' -Trimethoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydroisocoumarin (11) was obtained by reduction of the keto-acid (8) to racemic hydroxy-acid (10) followed by cyclodehydration using acetic anhydride.