Various polysubstituted benzofurans were reduced by using triethylsilane in trifluoracetic acid. 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans or bibenzyl compounds were obtained in high yields, depending on the nature of the substituents at C2 and on the benzene ring of the core structure. A p-anisole substituent at C2 of benzofurans always led to the corresponding bibenzyls.
Key words
benzofurans - dihydrobenzofurans - bibenzyls - triethylsilane - trifluoroacetic acid - reduction