title: Controlled synthesis of 2- and 3-substituted benzo[b]furans.
abstract: A controlled regioselective synthesis of either C-2 or C-3 substituted benzo[b]furans from readily accessible 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-chloroethanones is described. Addition of a range of Grignard reagents to the α-chloro ketones generates alkoxide intermediates, which can form either 2-substituted benzo[b]furans via a [1,2]-aryl migration or 3-substituted benzo[b]furans via a direct cyclization and dehydration sequence. A temperature-dependent [1,2]-aryl migration mechanism for the formation of 2-substituted benzo[b]furan is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Process Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 2000, Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States. tao_pei@merck.com
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Cheng-yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: DiMichele
authors.forename: Ian W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D001572:Benzofurans / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D003500:Cyclization; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans