Abstract
3-(Fluorophenyl) isocoumarins (6a-c) were synthesized by the condensation of homophthalic acid (4) with fluorobenzoyl chlorides (5a-c) which on alkaline hydrolysis gave keto-acids (7a-c). (dl)-3-(Fluorophenyl)-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins (10a-c) were obtained by reduction of keto-acids (7a-c) to racemic hydroxy-acids (9a-c) followed by cyclodehydration using acetic anhydride.