Palladium-catalyzed intermolecular coupling of 2-haloallylic acetates with simple phenols, and sequential formation of benzofuran derivatives through the intramolecular cyclization

Abstract

We accomplished the synthesis of 2-substituted benzofuran derivatives by the palladium-catalyzed reaction of 2-haloallylic acetates with simple phenols in the presence of a base. The reaction proceeded through the intermolecular attack of the nucleophile on the central carbon atom of the π-allyl group, carbon-halogen bond cleavage, and sequential intramolecular cyclization.