Ir(III)-Catalyzed Room-Temperature Synthesis of Multisubstituted Benzofurans Initiated by C-H Activation of α-Aryloxy Ketones

Cyclodehydration of various alpha-aryloxy ketones proceeded to give various multisubstituted benzofurans by using an Ir(III) catalyst, which was prepared from [Cp*IrCl2](2), AgSbF6, and Cu(OAc)(2). The use of the cationic iridium complex with a carboxylate salt realized the efficient transformation at ambient temperature.