An efficient synthesis of (+)-decursinol from umbelliferone

An efficient, practical and enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-decursinol, which has diverse range of biological properties including anti-cancer, anti-Helicobacter pylori, and strong antinociceptive activities, has been achieved in five steps with 41.4% overall yield from umbelliferone. The improved ring construction from coumarin to linear pyranocoumarin has been obtained through quinonemethide intermediate by using phenylboronic acid with propionic acid.