Scandium(III) Triflate–Catalyzed Coumarin Synthesis

Scandium(III) triflate is an excellent catalyst in the von Pechmann condensation. The solvent-free catalytic reactions proceed smoothly with a range of phenols and β-ketoesters in the presence of 10 mol% scandium(III) triflate at 80 °C. This simple method affords various 4-substituted coumarins in good to excellent yield and is superior to the classical method in several aspects: solvent-free conditions, short reaction times, a decreased catalyst loading, a mild reaction temperature, and an easy workup.