Structure elucidation of benzopyran-2-ol in solution and in solid state following the reduction of coumarin by DIBAL-H

Lactols are compounds of increasing interest in the synthesis of active pha rmaceutical derivatives. Nevertheless, the product obtained by the reductio n of the carbonyl group of coumarin has been described only twice, and with out definition of its precise chemical structure. Since these studies, doub ts have been raised about the existence of a monomeric or dimeric form. Our study has led us to conclude definitely that the single dimeric form exist s and to precisely define the spectral properties of the two diastereoisome rs. (C) 2001 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales El sevier SAS.