Cascade Synthesis of 3-Alkylidene Dihydrobenzofuran Derivatives via Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral C-H Functionalization/Cyclization

An efficient rhodium(III)-catalyzed coupling reaction of N-phenoxyacetamides with propargyl carbonates to yield 3-alkylidene dihydrobenzofuran derivatives via C-H functionalization/cascade cyclization has been developed. This transformation represents a redox-neutral process and features the formation of three new bonds under mild conditions.