Silver catalyzed cascade cyclization of 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes: synthesis of chroman-4-one derivatives.

Herein, a novel cascade cyclization for the synthesis of oxyalkylated and 1,5-dicarbonylated chroman-4-ones from 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes is described. The transformation proceeded in the presence of a silver salt to generate a series of anticipated chroman-4-one derivatives in moderate to good yields, and the alcohols or ketones in this reaction were employed as both reaction media and oxyalkyl or carbonyl sources, exhibiting an atom-economical approach for the preparation of chroman-4-one skeletons.