An Expeditious Solid-Phase Synthesis of 2-Aryl-cyclohepta[b]pyran-4,9-diones under Solvent-Free Conditions

An expeditious and ecofriendly synthesis of 2-arylcyclohepta[b]pyran-4,9-diones involving oxidative cyclization of 2-hydroxy-3-(3-arylacryloyl)cyclohepta-2,4,6-trienones with silica-supported iodine under grinding conditions has been developed. The procedure offers the follwing advantages: the synthesis occurs under solvent-free conditions at room temperature and it provides high yields of the target products in shorter reaction times and involves no hazardous chemicals and organic solvents at any stage.