Silver(i)-catalyzed dehydrogenative cross-coupling of 2-aroylbenzofurans with phosphites

Abstract

The silver(I)-catalyzed dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction of 2-aroylbenzofurans with phosphites to afford 2-aroyl-3-phosphonylbenzofurans is reported. The dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction proceeds through the conversion of silver(I) cations into silver(II) cations by peroxodisulfate followed by electron transfer, electrophilic addition and rearrangement of intermediates, successively, giving the desired 2-aroyl-3-phosphonylbenzofurans. This reaction proceeded in moderate to good yields and with high regioselectivity.