A novel synthesis of 4H-chromen-4-ones via intramolecular wittig reaction

The acylphosphoranes formed in a sequential manner from the reaction of the silyl ester of O-acyl(aroyl)salicylic acids and (trimethylsilyl)methylenetriphenylphosphorane undergo intramolecular Wittig cyclization on the ester carbonyl to afford the 4H-chromen-4-ones in good to excellent yields.