A variety of 2-arylbenzo[b]furans are readily prepared in good to excellent yields from the cyclization of o-(1-alkynyl)anisole derivatives under mild reaction conditions using an alcoholic media, p-toluenesulfonic acid under microwave irradiation. Starting from the corresponding o-(1-alkynyl)thioanisole derivatives, this friendly and environmentally free-metal procedure has been successfully extended to the synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes. Relative to the electronic nature of the substituents, the selectivity of the cyclization reaction from differently o,o'-substituted diarylalkynes is also discussed. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
MPHT-Promoted Bromocyclization of ortho-Substituted Arylalkynes: Application to the Synthesis of 2-Substituted 3-Bromobenzofurans and -Benzo[b]thiophenes
A convenient and general approach to the synthesis of 2‐substituted 3‐bromobenzofurans and ‐benzothiophenes was developed. The procedure is based on the cyclization of ortho‐substituted arylalkynes in the presence of N‐methylpyrrolidin‐2‐one hydrotribromide (MPHT) as a soft and easy‐to‐handle electrophilic brominating reagent. Under mild reaction conditions, MPHT promoted the bromocyclization of various