An unusual Me3SiI-promoted [4+2] annulation and reduction: an efficient approach to construct 4H-benzopyrans.

Me(3)SiI-promoted reaction of salicylic aldehydes with ß-dicarbonyl compounds provided a facile way to construct 4H-benzopyrans in moderate to good yields. This tandem reaction proceeds with high efficiency through nucleophilic addition, silyl enol ether formation, substitution, reduction, and intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization.