Studies in the Synthesis of Cyclohexenocoumarins. Part I

β-(2:4-Dihydroxybenzoyl) propionic acid obtained from resorcinol on succinoylation and Clemmensen reduction has yielded butyric acid derivative. This on Pechmann reaction with ethyl acetoacetate, has furnished 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin-6-butyric acid. The methyl ether has been cyclised to 7-methoxy-4-methyl-4'-ketocyclohexeno (5', 6'-5, 6) coumarin in poor yield using polyphosphorie acid or anhydrous aluminium chloride as cyclising agents.