Zinc oxide nanoparticle promoted highly efficient one pot three-component synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans

A convenient one-pot synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzo[b]furan derivatives has been developed using zinc oxide nanoparticles. The present approach provides a novel, effective and improved procedure for the three-component coupling of aldehydes, secondary amines and alkyne with several advantages such as short reaction times, high yields and little catalyst loading. ZnO nanoparticles are cheap, stable and can be easily recovered for several circles with consistent activity. Characterization and structural elucidation of the products have been done on the basis of chemical, analytical and spectral analyses.