Synthesis of a fully functionalized isocoumarin moiety 2 of DNA helicase in
hibitor heliquinomycin (1) is reported. The key step is a modified condensa
tion reaction of diethyl bromomalonate with readily accessible phthalaldehy
dic acid derivative 3. Introduction of an allyl side chain is accomplished
by Claisen rearrangement of allyl phenyl ether 8. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science
Ltd. All rights reserved.