Synthesis of SMND-309, a derivate of salvianolic acid B

(E)-2-(6-((E)-2-carboxyvinyl)-2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid, designated SMND-309, was synthesized starting from 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde in 12 steps and with an overall yield of 44%. The synthetic key features were the conversion of aryl aldehyde into aryl acetic acid for one-carbon extended, the Perkin condensation, and the Heck coupling for construction of α,β-unsaturated ester.