Condition-controlled selective synthesis of coumarins and flavones from 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)propiolates and iodine

2H-Chromen-2-ones (coumarins) and 4H-chromen-4-ones (flavones) were selectively prepared via the reaction of 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)propiolates with iodine in toluene and N,N-dimethylformide, respectively.