A new and efficient synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyrans †‡

3,4-Dihydro-2,4-dimethoxy-2-methyl-2H-1-benzopyrans are formed in high yields by the cyclocondensation of o-hydroxybenzaldehydes with 2,2-dimethoxypropane catalysed by elemental iodine at room temperature.