Microwaves assisted Gabriel synthesis of phthalides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(96)00922-2

Cesium acetate was found to be the best catalyst for the synthesis of 3-benzylidephthalide from phthalic anhydride and phenylacetic acid. Reasonable to good yields of different 3-arylmethylenephthalides were isolated from the microwave. Gabriel synthesis, even when phenylthio- and 2-(3-)thienyl- acetic acids were used as the starting material.