Synthesis of polyfluorinated o-hydroxyacetophenones – convenient precursors of 3-benzylidene-2-phenylchroman-4-ones

A simple and efficient approach to the synthesis of fluorinated o-hydroxyacetophenones in good to excellent yields is reported. We demonstrated a convenient method for replacing the iodine atom in o-iodophenols with MeC(O)-group through the introduction and subsequent hydrolysis of TIPS-CC-moiety by of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate. The resulting compounds may serve as precursors for the synthesis of polyfluorinated 3-benzylidene-2-phenylchroman-4-one derivatives that are of interest as objects for the evaluation of their pharmacological properties.