Transition-metal-free synthesis of functional 2-arylphenols by an intermolecular SNAr reaction between dibenzofurans and various nucleophiles

Abstract

Shown herein for the first time is the utilization of dibenzofurans for an S_NAr reaction with various nucleophiles, including primary and secondary alcohols, aliphatic amines and phosphines. A series of functional 2-arylphenols were obtained in good yields with good functional group tolerance, such as cyanide, amide, and aldehyde. In these transformations, selective C–O bond activation and coupling was achieved through electronic and chelating effects.