Expeditious synthesis of 3,4-dihydroisocoumarins and phthalides using the Heck–Matsuda reaction

Several 3,4-dihydroisocoumarins and phthalides were synthesized by an effective Heck–Matsuda reaction involving an ortho carboxybenzenediazonium salt with a series of styrenes bearing electron donating and electron withdrawing groups, methylvinyl ketone, and methyl acrylate. The reaction was carried out in an open-flask with 1% mol of palladium acetate in aqueous ethanol at ∼80 °C, giving the correspondent 3-aryl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins and phthalides with good overall yields. The electronic nature of the group attached to the olefin is a key feature for the regioselectivity of the cyclization step.