Fluorination-triggered tandem cyclization of styrene-type carboxylic acids to access 3-aryl isocoumarin derivatives under microwave irradiation.

A practical and straightforward synthetic route through a fluorination-triggered tandem cyclization of styrene-type carboxylic acids was developed to construct a variety of 4-fluoro-3-aryl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins and 3-arylisocoumarins under microwave irradiation. This novel protocol features mild reaction conditions and operational simplicity, with good yields.