A new and efficient Baeyer–Villiger rearrangement of flavanone derivatives by the methyltrioxorhenium/H2O2 catalytic system

The catalytic Baeyer–Villiger rearrangement of flavanones is described by the use of the homogeneous methyltrioxorhenium (MTO)/H2O2 system. In these experimental conditions 3,4-dihydro-4-phenyl-1,5-benzodioxepin-2-ones and previously not reported para-quinone derivatives have been obtained in mild experimental conditions from acceptable to good yields.