Benzylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds and 4-hydroxycoumarin using TMSOTf catalyst: a simple, mild, and efficient method

The direct benzylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and 4-hydroxycoumarin with a wide variety of benzylic alcohols was achieved using trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as an efficient catalyst. The reaction proceeded under very mild conditions at room temperature providing the desired products in good to excellent yields.