Synthesis of quaternary carbon centered chromans from the reactions of ethyl 2-(2-hydroxyaryl)-2-oxoacetates with allenic ester or allenic sulfone catalyzed by tertiary phosphine and SPTS

Cyclization reactions of ethyl 2-(2-hydroxyaryl)-2-oxoacetates with ethyl 2,3-butadienoate and allenylsulfone proceeded smoothly in the presence of tertiary phosphine and sodium p-toluenesulfinate (SPTS) to give the corresponding quaternary carbon centered chromans in moderate to good yields under mild conditions, which provides an alternative efficient approach for the synthesis of biologically active chroman products.