Facile Access to Benzofuran Derivatives through Radical Reactions with Heteroatom-centered Super-electron-donors

Abstract

Heteroatom anions are applied as super-electron-donors (SEDs) to initiate radical reactions for facile synthesis of 3-substituted benzofurans. Phosphines, thiols and anilines bearing different substitution patterns work well in this inter-molecular radical coupling reaction and the 3-functionalized benzofuran products bearing heteroatomic functionalities are given in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction mechanism is elucidated via control experiments and computational methods. The afforded products showed promising applications in both organic synthesis and pesticide development.