Synthesis of highly substituted 2-hydroxybenzophenones through skeletal clipping of 3-benzofuranones

Abstract

The transition-metal-free synthesis of 2-hydroxybenzophenones was achieved through skeletal clipping of 3-benzofuranones via annulation, ring clipping and a benzannulation process under mild conditions. More importantly, these compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activities in pesticide chemistry. Additionally, theoretical calculations were conducted on the key transition states.