New synthesis of 4-phenyl coumarins: dalbergin and nordalbergin

A successful route to the synthesis of 4-phenylcoumarins in good yield has been developed. Vanillin on Dakin reaction yielded O-methoxyhydroquinone which on subsequent condensation with ethyl benzoyl acetate furnished dalbergin (overall yield, 65%). The latter on demethylation afforded nordalbergin (overall yield, 62%). This procedure is applicable to the synthesis of other 4-phenylcoumarins.