Chemo- and Regioselective Demethylation of 2-Bromo-α-resorcylic Acid Derivatives Using Alkylthiolate Salts

Abstract We report here the chemo- and regioselective demethylation of 2-bromo-3,5-dimethoxy-α-resorcylic acid esters by a thiolate nucleophilic displacement reaction. Optimized conditions facilitate yields up to 93% for o-bromo-selective demethylation of diverse ester derivatives of dimethoxy 2-bromo-α-resorcylic acid. Our results highlight a new, efficient, and reliable demethylation reagent, as well as a useful steric bias directing strategy.