Phthalimide-N-sulfonic acid and Isatin-N-sulfonic acid as highly efficient catalysts for the synthesis of bis-coumarins

Two highly efficient protocols for the production of bis-coumarins under solvent-free conditions have been introduced. The reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin (2 eq.) with arylaldehydes (1 eq.) using phthalimide-N-sulfonic acid (PhtSA) or isatin-N-sulfonic acid (IsSA), as solid-acid catalysts, afforded the mentioned compounds with good to excellent yields in short times.