An alternative route for the synthesis of 2-arylbenzofurans is described by iodine(III)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of 2-hydroxystilbenes using 10 mol% (diacetoxyiodo)benzene [PhI(OAc)2] as catalyst in the presence of m-chloroperbenzoic acid. The 2-arylbenzofurans were isolated in good to excellent yields.
Key words
cyclization reactions -
o-hydroxystilbenes - 2-arylbenzofurans - hypervalent iodine reagents - hypervalent iodine catalyst