Cascade synthesis of dihydrobenzofurans and aurones via palladium-catalyzed isocyanides insertion into 2-halophenoxy acrylates

Abstract

A palladium‐catalyzed isocyanides insertion into 2‐halophenoxy acrylates leading to an unparalleled synthesis of dihydrobenzofurans (DHBs) having two exocyclic double bonds have been achieved. While the iodo substrates gave products having an exocyclic imine bond, its bromo analogue yielded reduced secondary amines as the product. An acid hydrolysis of the exocyclic imine bond in DHBs produces various aurone esters.