A series of substituted coumarin derivatives were synthesized by Pechmann condensation reactions of substituted phenols with acetacetic ester in the presence of phenylsulfonic acid functionalizedMSU material as a solid acid catalyst. The reaction condition of substituted phenols with acetacetic ester on the catalyst was mild and the products were easilyobtained with high yields. The effects of hydroxyl groups in the different positions of the aromatic ring on the reaction were investigated. The results showedthat the hydroxyl group in the meto-position is favorable to the condensationreaction, and the one in the para-position is less favorable to the reaction. It also demonstrated that the catalytic active site of the solid acid is Brønsted protonic acid.

Key words: solid acid, meso-porous molecular sieve, coumarin, Pechmann condensation