A Streamlined Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans via the ortho-Quinone Methides Generated from 2-Alkyl-Substituted Phenols

A facile method for the stereoselective synthesis of trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans from ortho-quinone methides in situ generated from readily available 2-alkyl-substituted phenols using silver oxide-mediated oxidation has been developed. Additionally, the 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans can be further transformed into the aromatized 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans in the presence of DDQ.