η6-Arene-tricarbonylchromium Complexes in the Syntheses of trans-Resveratrol and Pinostilbene

New syntheses of trans-resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) and pinostilbene (trans-3,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxystilbene) via nucleophilic demethylation of trimethoxystilbene were performed, whereby trans-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene was obtained through facilitated benzylic deprotonation of an η6-benzene-Cr(CO)3 derivative and subsequent coupling with para-anisaldehyde in an aldol-type or Wittig–Horner reaction.