Annulation approach to doubly linked (A-type) oligocatechins: syntheses of (+)-procyanidin A₂ and (+)-cinnamtannin B₁.

The first stereoselective syntheses of doubly linked (A-type) oligocatechins, (+)-procyanidin A2 and (+)-cinnamtannin B1, have been achieved. Ethylenedioxy-bridged flavans served as excellent platforms, thus allowing annulation with nucleophilic catechin units in a stereoselective manner. An additional key was the new synthetic approach to selectively protected nucleophilic catechin, thus enabling regioselective construction of the key dioxabicyclo skeleton of the A-type oligocatechins.