Coumarins from free ortho-hydroxy cinnamates by Heck-Matsuda arylations: a scalable total synthesis of (R)-tolterodine.

Free ortho-hydroxy cinnamate ester derivatives are evaluated in the synthesis of structurally diverse 4-aryl-coumarins via a tandem Heck-Matsuda cyclization reaction. Free phenolic groups were considered incompatible with such a reaction, which usually provide the corresponding diazo dyes. A concise and scalable route employing a ligand-free, Pd-catalyzed Heck-Matsuda arylation under aerobic conditions for the preparation of (R)-Tolterodine in high overall yield and ee is also presented.