Abstract: The natural product saphenic acid (6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-1-phenazinecarboxylic acid) was synthesized from readily accessible starting materials. The desired product was obtained in an overall yield of 22% for four steps with the key steps being formation of a diphenylamine, followed by cyclization under alkaline and reducing conditions. Assignments of 1H NMR spectra were achieved by homo-and heteronuclear 1D and 2D correlations. ...
