Expedient Synthesis of Lupulones and Their Derivatization to 2,8-7-Dihydrochromen-7-ones.

A convenient and improved method for the synthesis of beta acids or lupulones, which are known to possess . anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and antimicrobial activity, has been developed successfully. Further derivatization of these complex structures to the corresponding dihydrochromen-7-ones, including the natural product machuone, was realized to simplify their analysis and to confirm their molecular structure.