Cyclopropylmethyl Protection of Phenols: Total Synthesis of the Resveratrol Dimers Anigopreissin A and Resveratrol–Piceatannol Hybrid.

We demonstrate the versatile use of the cyclopropylmethyl group to protect phenols through the total synthesis of two benzofuran‐based natural products, that is, anigopreissin A and the resveratrol–piceatannol hybrid. This protecting group is a good alternative to the conventional methyl group, owing to the feasibility of introduction, stability under a variety of conditions, and its relative ease of removal under different acidic conditions. Don′t be overprotective: The cyclopropylmethyl protecting group is successfully used as an alternative to methyl ethers in the total synthesis of anigopreissin A and resveratrol–piceatannol hybrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]