Abstract
A base-catalyzed, pseudo-four-component reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin, two molecules of acetone, and amine towards the synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]coumarins is reported. The mechanism of this multicomponent reaction is proposed. The reaction is further extended to the preparation of coumarin-substituted pyrano[2,3-c]coumarins by a base-catalyzed, pseudo four-component reaction of two molecules of 4-hydroxycoumarin and two molecules of acetone.