Judicious application of allyl protecting groups for the synthesis of 2-morpholin-4-yl-4-oxo-4H-chromen-8-yl triflate, a key precursor of DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitors.

2-Morpholin-4-yl-4-oxo-4H-chromen-8-yl 2,2,2-trifluoromethanesulfonate is a key intermediate for the synthesis of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitor 8-dibenzothiophen-4-yl-2-morpholin-4-yl-chromen-4-one (NU7441). Two improved methods for the synthesis of this triflate have been developed:  (A) in 35% overall yield, through modification of the published route, and (B) in 15% overall yield, by a new route employing a Baker−Venkataraman rearrangement to enable generation of the chromenone scaffold. Both syntheses depend on the judicious use of allyl protecting groups.