Gold-Catalyzed Domino Synthesis of Functionalized Benzofurans and Tetracyclic Isochromans via Formal Carboalkoxylation

Org Lett. 2016 Aug 19;18(16):4136-9. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6b02159. Epub 2016 Aug 2.

Abstract

A domino synthesis of benzofurans with the modification of side chains from α-alkoxyalkyl o-alkynylaryl ethers (n = 0) and electron-rich arenes has been developed. In the present domino reaction, which would proceed via the α-alkoxyalkylation of arenes with an intermediate in the migratory cycloisomerization of o-alkynylaryl ethers followed by the nucleophilic addition of benzofurans to benzyl ethers, a cationic Au(III) catalyst activates the C-C π bond and the C-O σ bond. The present method could be extended to Au(I)-catalyzed domino synthesis of tetracyclic isochromans from α-alkoxyalkyl (o-alkynylaryl)methyl ethers (n = 1) and aryl methoxymethyl ethers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't