Room-Temperature Metal-Free Oxidative Alkoxylation/Amidation of Benzofuran-3(2H)-ones with Simple Alcohols and Nitriles

Abstract

Metal-free oxidative alkoxylation/amidation of benzofuran-3(2H)-ones with alcohols and nitriles is disclosed, which enables the synthesis of a broad range of 2-monosubstituted benzofuran-3(2H)-ones in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions. This strategy features a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, scale-up synthesis, simple operation and mild reaction conditions. Detailed mechanistic insights provided strong support for the tandem radical alkoxylation/amidation reaction.