Synthesis of alkyloxy stilbenes by one-pot O-alkylation-Wittig and O-alkylation-Wittig–Heck reaction sequence

A new route for the synthesis of alkyloxy stilbenes from hydroxy benzaldehydes is developed by a combination of one-pot reactions. Tandem one-pot O-alkylation-Wittig and O-alkylation-Wittig–Heck reactions offer a simple access to conjugated alkyloxy stilbenes. A highly conjugated tetra(p-alkyloxystyryl)benzene was synthesized from 1,2,4,5-tetrabromobenzene involving a series of one-pot operations following the O-alkylation-Wittig–Heck scheme.