Synthesis of Isobavachalcone and Some Organometallic Derivatives

Abstract Isobavachalcone [2′,4,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′‐(3″‐methyl‐2″‐butenyl)chalcone, 1 ] is a prenylated chalcone that has broad biological activity, in particular against neuroblastomas, the most common cancer in infancy. It is currently commercially available at a cost of $190/mg by extraction from Psoralea corylifolia and a number of other African and Asian plants. Several synthetic routes have been explored, and the most efficient procedure …