FeCl3-catalyzed Pechmann synthesis of coumarins in ionic liquids

The synthesis of coumarin derivatives via Pechmann reaction using anhydrous FeCl3 as Lewis acid catalyst in ionic liquid medium has been carried out. The best results were obtained (yields as high as 89%) with ionic liquids having bis(triflic)imide as a counteranion. The ionic liquid could easily be recovered and reused.