Synthesis of the 3,4,5-Trimethoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxy-6-nitrophenyl) benzaldehyde for Divergent Preparation of Cytotoxic Biaryls

The regioselective synthesis of the 3,4,5-trimethoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxy-6-nitrophenyl)benzaldehyde as key intermediate for divergent preparation of cytotoxic biaryl lignans was achieved in three steps from commercially available starting materials. Reactivity of this synthon was illustrated by its conversion into the corresponding phenanthridine and bromomethylbenzene.