Abstract Treatment of trans-2, 3-dihydro-2-aryl-3-nosyloxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ones with various bases afforded 2, 3-dihydro-r-2-aryl-t-3-hydroxy-c-(4-nitrophenyi)-4H-1-benzopyran- 4-ones in a deprotonation-initiated aryl migration followed by sulfur dioxide extrusion. In the presence of hydroxide and methoxide ions a secondary ring cleavage has also been observed. However, the reaction of trans-2, 3-dihydro-2-aryl-3-nosyloxy-4H-1-benzopyran ...