The synthesis of a series of allyl diphenyl phosphates is described. Reaction of these phosphate esters with a variety of phenols has been studied. The products are usually coumarans or chromans, and the method has been used for the synthesis of phenolic natural products containing isoprenoid residues. In particular, the reaction of 2,3,5-trimethylquinol with phytyl diphenyl phosphate gave α-tocopherol in excellent yield.