Diastereoselective synthesis of trans-2,3-dihydrofuro[3,2-c]coumarins by MgO nanoparticles under ultrasonic irradiation

MgO nanoparticles have been used as an efficient catalyst for the diastereoselective preparation of trans-2-benzoyl-3-(aryl)-2H-furo[3,2-c]chromen-4(3H)-ones by the multi-component reaction of 2,4′-dibromoacetophenone, pyridine, benzaldehydes and 4-hydroxycoumarin under ultrasonic irradiation. This interesting result revealed that the pyridiniumylide assisted tandem three-component coupling reaction is highly diastereoselective. Atom economy, wide range of products, high catalytic activity, excellent yields in short reaction times, diastereoselective synthesis and environmental benignity are some of the important features of this protocol.