Unprecedented Reactivity Pattern of Chromium Fischer Carbene Complexes. Direct Application to One-Pot Synthesis of 4-Aryl-3,4-dihydrocoumarins on a Multigram Scale

Reaction of alkenyl carbene chromium(0) complexes and ketene acetals triggers the formation of 4-aryl-3,4-dihydrocoumarins. The reaction can be carried out as a simple one-pot protocol in air atmosphere. The huge interest of dihydrocoumarins has prompted us to optimize a multigram-scale process.