Iridium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Synthesis of Chromenones from Simple Phenols and Internal Alkynes at Atmospheric Pressure

A novel procedure on the carbonylative synthesis of chromenones has been developed. With simple phenols and internal alkynes as the substrates, various chromenones were isolated in moderate to good yields with excellent regioselectivity and functional-group tolerance by using iridium as the catalyst and copper as the promotor at atmospheric pressure. Notably, this is the first example on carbonylative annulation of simple phenols and alkynes.