A short and efficient synthesis of honokiol via Claisen rearrangement

A concise and efficient total synthesis of honokiol, a biphenyl-type neolignan is accomplished in six steps using readily available and cost-effective reagents. The synthetic route involves mainly the Grignard reaction, iodine mediated aromatization, and Claisen rearrangement as key steps. A predominant formation of honokiol (1a) was observed in the Claisen rearrangement under microwave irradiation whereas the isohonokiol (1b) was formed as a major product under conventional conditions.