Multisubstituted benzo[b]furans through a copper- and/or palladium-catalyzed assembly and functionalization process

Full details as well as the study of the scope, limitations, and further elaboration of a straightforward approach to the synthesis of 2,5,7-trisubstituted benzo[b]furans from 2-bromo- and 2-chloro-6-iodo-4-substituted phenols through a consecutive copper- and/or palladium-catalyzed assembly and functionalization process is described. Functionalization at the C(7) position is carried out by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, alkynylation, alkenylation, and C-N bond forming reactions. A one-pot protocol for the synthesis of 2,5,7-trisubstituted benzo[b]furans is also reported.