Silver triflate/p-TSA co-catalysed synthesis of 3-substituted isocoumarins from 2-alkynylbenzoates

In this paper, we describe the silver triflate/p-toluenesulfonic acid co-catalysed synthesis of seventeen isocoumarins and two thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones starting from 2-alkynylbenzoates and 3-alkynylthiophene-2-carboxylates, respectively. The reaction proceeds with absolute regioselectivity under mild reaction conditions and low catalyst loading, to afford the desired products in good to excellent yields. A conceivable reaction mechanism is proposed and supported by isotope-exchange tests, ¹H NMR studies and ad hoc experiments.