Facile construction of 4 H -chromenes via Michael addition of phenols to benzylidene oxobutanoates and their successful conversion into pyranocoumarins

•Simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of 4H-chromenes.•Reaction proceeds via Michael addition of corresponding phenols and benzylidene oxobutanoates.•Reaction features broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.•Extended synthetic utility of protocol by synthesis of angular and linear pyranocoumarins.•Structures of pyranocoumarins confirmed by XRD analysis and 2D NMR.