Utilization of a copper-catalyzed diaryl ether synthesis for the preparation of verbenachalcone

2-Hydroxy-2′-methoxydiphenyl ethers were efficiently assembled utilizing a catalytic copper mediated coupling of 2-benzyloxybromobenzene derivatives and 2-methoxyphenol derivatives in the presence of cesium carbonate in pyridine followed by debenzylation. Utilization of this method allowed for a concise synthesis of verbenachalcone, a compound reported to enhance nerve growth factorʹs ability to stimulate neurite outgrowths in PC12D cells. Initial SAR data is also presented.