One pot synthesis of bioactive benzopyranones through palladium-catalyzed C–H activation and CO insertion into 2-arylphenols

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of 2-arylphenols through C-H bond activation and C-C and C-O bond formation under acid-base free and mild conditions has been developed. The reaction tolerates a variety of substrates and provides biologically important benzopyranone derivatives in up to 87% isolated yield.