Raghao S. Mali, Archna P. Massey and Manohar I. Talele
A convenient method, involving the generation of the phthalide anion, is described for the synthesis of naturally occurring (Z)-3-benzylidenephthalide (5) and (±) 3-benzylphthalides (6c, 10a–c), starting from phthalides (7a and 7b).