Rh(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H Activation/Annulation of Salicylaldehydes with Masked Enynes for the Synthesis of Chromones.

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation/annulation of salicylaldehydes with propargylic acetates has been developed for the regioselective synthesis of 3-vinyl chromones in good yields with broad functional group tolerance. 3-Vinyl chromones were converted into biologically active benzo[ c ]xanthone by I 2 -mediated oxidative electrocyclization.