Abstract The title P-heterocycle 3, a versatile intermediate in synthesis, was prepared by two independent methods. The first involves an environmentally friendly version of an old protocol starting from 2-phenylphenol (1) and phosphorus trichloride. Their interaction could be accomplished at 50° C under solventless conditions. Cyclization of the intermediate (2) so obtained could be realized best under microwave conditions at 150° C in the presence ...