A new and efficient method for conjugate addition of trialkylphosphites to 3-acylsubstituted coumarins

A new and efficient conjugate addition of trialkylphosphites to 3-ω-bromoacetylcoumarin catalysed by p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) has been studied. Under the same conditions, an enolphosphate gave the corresponding esters of 3-acetyl-4-phosphono-2-oxochromans in high yields. The use of TsOH in the reaction of 3-acetyl-, 3-benzoyl-, and 3-ethoxycarbonyl coumarins led mainly to 1,4-addition products—the corresponding 3-acyl-4-dialkylphosphono-2-oxochromans—in very good yields.