Synthesis of catechins via thiourea/Au[Cl.sub.3]-catalyzed cycloalkylation of aryl epoxides

The thiourea/Au[Cl.sub.3]/AgOTf-catalyzed annulations of aryl epoxides under mild conditions were employed to perform synthesis of structurally diverse catechins. The newly developed diversity-oriented protocol provides a highly efficient route to a library of catechins-derived natural products such as anti-HIV agent 8-C-ascorbyl-(-)-epigallocatechin.