Morita-Baylis-Hillman Route to Dimethyl 2,3-Dihydrobenzo[b]oxepine-2,4-dicarboxylates and Methyl 2-(2-Carbomethoxybenzo[b]furan-3-yl)propanoates from Salicylaldehydes

A new synthetic method for dimethyl 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]oxepine-2,4-dicarboxylates and methyl 2-(2-carbomethoxybenzo[b]furan-3-yl)propanoates by an intramolecular conjugate displacement reaction or an reaction of acetates of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of methyl (2-formylphenoxy)acetates has been described.