Synthesis of 4-arylcoumarins via palladium-catalyzed arylation/cyclization of ortho-hydroxylcinnamates with diaryliodonium salts

An efficient method for the palladium-catalyzed arylation/cyclization of ortho-hydroxylcinnamate ester derivatives with diaryliodonium salts is described. A range of 4-arylcoumarins are obtained in good to excellent yield. Furthermore, the route can be applied to the synthesis of versatile building block of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor.96