Arylsulfone-driven Divergence in Base-mediated [3+3] Benzannulation Reactions of Aurones: Facile synthesis of Substituted Dibenzofurans

Abstract

DBU-mediated, facile and divergent [3+3] benzannulation reactions of aurones and 1,3-bisnucleophiles afforded substituted dibenzofurans. Nucleophiles possessing at least one arylsulfone group reacted via an elimination pathway whereas diethyl glutaconate reacted via an aerial oxidation pathway. The aurone assembly and ensuing benzannulation could also be carried out as a one-pot, three-component reaction.