A New, Expeditious Entry to the Benzophenanthrofuran Framework by a Pd‐Catalyzed <i>C</i>‐ and <i>O</i>‐Arylation/PIFA‐Mediated Oxidative Coupling Sequence

Abstract

Abstract The synthesis of a series of 2,3‐diarylbenzo[ b ]furans starting from 1,2‐diarylethanones and 1,2‐dibromoarenes proceeds by means of both homogeneous and polymer‐anchored palladium catalysts. This tandem process can be effectively halted at the C ‐arylation step, thus providing key o ‐bromoarylated deoxybenzoin intermediates in good yields. The efficient oxidative coupling leading to benzo[ b ]phenanthro[9,10‐ d ]furans is carried out using the safer hypervalent iodine reagent PIFA. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)