An alternate method for the synthesis of 2-aryl/alkyl-5-bromo-7-methoxy benzofurans; application to the synthesis of Egonol, Homoegonol, and analogs via Heck reaction

We herein report the general, versatile, and convenient method for the synthesis of 2-arly/alkyl-5-bromo-7-methoxy benzofurans from easily available o-Vanillin in five steps. These benzofurans was successfully converted into biological active natural products Egonol, Homoegonol, and analogous on applying Heck reaction using ethyl/methyl acrylate in the presence of palladium catalyst. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.