Synthesis of Benzofuropyridines and Dibenzofurans by a Metalation/Negishi Cross-Coupling/S N Ar Reaction Sequence.

An efficient methodology for the synthesis of benzofuropyridines and dibenzofurans from fluoropyridines or fluoroarenes and 2-bromophenyl acetates is reported. This streamlined one-pot procedure consists of a four-step directed ortho -lithiation, zincation, Negishi cross-coupling, and intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution, allowing for the facile assembly of a diverse set of fused benzofuro heterocycles.