The formal synthesis of jiadifenin, which has potent neurotrophic activity, was accomplished using intramolecular Mizoroki–Heck reaction and tandem Tsuji–Trost cyclization/lactonization reaction as key steps. Intramolecular Mizoroki–Heck reaction was employed for the construction of the A ring moiety accompanied with the formation of C9 quaternary center, which was dramatically promoted by protic solvent. Tandem Tsuji–Trost cyclization/lactonization reaction was applied to the successive cyclization of the BC ring system to elaborate under conditions, Pd(OAc)2, (±)-BINAP, and LiOAc in t-BuOH, leading to Theodorakis's intermediate followed by a few functionalizations.

Efficient synthesis of honokiol (1) was accomplished using two kinds of Suzuki–Miyaura reactions. The first Suzuki–Miyaura reaction was employed to couple 2-bromophenol (6) with 4-hydroxyphenylboronic acid (5), giving rise to biphenol 4, and the second coupling was used to introduce allyl groups at 5- and 3′-positions of honokiol. The total synthesis of 1 was completed in 74% yield over five steps from 6, or in 83% yield over four steps from biphenol 4.Total 74% over 5 steps or 83% over 4 steps.