Synthesis of the ligustrazine-vanillic acid derivative VA-01–VA-20. Reagents and Conditions: a dry THF, KOH, 4-toluene sulfonyl chloride (Tscl), 25 °C, 15 h; b thionyl chloride (SOCl2), 25 °C, 15 h; c DMF, dry K2CO3, N2, 70 °C, 15 h; d THF:MeOH:H2O = 3:1:1, LiOH, 37 °C, 2 h; e DCM, HoBt, EDCI, DIPEA, 25 °C, 12 h