A Facile Two-Step Synthesis of 2-Arylbenzofurans Based on the Selective Cross McMurry Couplings

Abstract

A novel two-step synthesis of 2-arylbenzofurans has been developed. It involves a selective cross McMurry coupling of a salicylaldehyde or substituted salicylaldehyde with an aromatic aldehyde and a sequential oxidative cyclization of the resulting ortho-vinylphenols. Utilizing this synthetic protocol, a variety of 2-arylbenzofurans including cicerfuran have been efficiently synthesized.