Regioselective and highly efficient Heck arylation of 3-vinyl-6,7-dimethoxycoumarin has been developed to afford 3-styryl coumarins in good to very high yields. The increase in conjugation reflects on the absorbance of the synthesized compounds revealing all pronounced bathochromic shifts and hyperchromic effects.
3-vinyl coumarin; 3-styryl coumarin; Heck reaction; palladium; fluorescent dyes