A short synthesis of troglitazone: An antidiabetic drug for treating insulin resistance

Troglitazone was obtained in 5 steps from 4-bromo-1,1-dimethoxy-3-methylbut-2-ene with an overall yield of 7.5%. The formation of the chromane ring was achieved by condensing an unsaturated acetal with trimethylhydroquinone in the presence of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.