A simple and convenient synthesis of 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-4H-chromenes from salicyl N-tosylimines or salicylaldehydes and methyl 2-perfluoroalkynoates

Et3N-catalyzed reactions of salicyl N-tosylimines or salicylaldehydes with methyl 2-perfluoroalkynoates proceed smoothly at room temperature in dichloromethane (DCM) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to give the corresponding fluorinated chromenes in good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity.