Copper-catalyzed tandem cyclization and vinylation for the synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl benzofurans

A copper-catalyzed tandem cyclization and vinylation of 2-chloro-1-(2-bromoaryl)-3,3,3-trifluoropropenes with KOH has been developed for the synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl benzofuran derivatives. The reaction involves dual C-O bonds formation and hydroarylation of aryl trifluoropropynes. This approach represents a simple and efficient one-pot synthesis of 2-trifluoromethy-3-vinylbenzofurans, which are potentially useful in drug design.