The Pechmann reaction of resorcinol with ethyl acetoacetate over various Amberlyst-type catalysts under mild reaction conditions in short reaction times resulted in high yields of 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin. For purposes of comparison, other solid acid catalysts were also investigated. The best-performing material was Amberlyst-S, with 95% conversion and 98% selectivity in refluxing toluene after 2 It of reaction time at 120 ° C. The materials could be regenerated and recycled. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.