Abstract
Condensation of salicylaldehydes with diethyl 2-pentenedioate under the Knoevenagel conditions afforded either coumarin-3-acrylates or 2H-chromenedicarboxylate derivatives depending on the substituents on the aryl nucleus. Osmium tetroxide catalyzed periodate oxidation of coumarin-3-acrylates gave 3-formylcoumarin derivatives.