Synthesis of Benzofurans by the Action of Copper on Terminal Alkynes and<u>O</u>-Halophenols

Abstract

Abstract Cuprous acetylides react with aryl halides to yield aryl acetylenes and with o-halophenols to give benzofurans.1,2 The broad scope of this latter reaction for the synthesis of benzofuran natural products is shown by application inter alia to norlignans,3 euparinoids,4 phytoalexins,5 furanocoumarins,6 fomannoxin,7 isotubaic acid8 and machicendiol.