Synthesis of 2-Prenylated Alkoxylated Benzopyrans by Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons Olefination with PPARα/γ Agonist Activity

We have synthesized series of 2-prenylated benzopyrans as analogues of the natural polycerasoidol, a dual PPARα/γ agonist with anti-inflammatory effects. The prenylated side chain consists of five or nine carbons with an α-alkoxy-α,β-unsaturated ester moiety. Prenylation was introduced via the Grignard reaction, followed by Johnson-Claisen rearrangement, and the α-alkoxy-α,β-unsaturated ester moiety was introduced by the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction. Synthetic derivatives showed high efficacy to activate both hPPARα and hPPARγ as dual PPARα/γ agonists. These prenylated benzopyrans emerge as lead compounds potentially useful for preventing cardiometabolic diseases.