Transition-metal-free decarbonylation-oxidation of 3-arylbenzofuran-2(3)-ones: access to 2-hydroxybenzophenones.

A transition-metal-free decarbonylation-oxidation protocol for the conversion of 3-arylbenzofuran-2(3)-ones to 2-hydroxybenzophenones under mild conditions has been developed. NMR studies confirmed the role of in-situ-generated hydroperoxide in the conversion. The protocol was applied to a diverse range of substrates to access the target products in good to excellent yields.

Catalytic Oxidation of 3-Arylbenzofuran-2(3 H)-ones with PCC-HIO: Syntheses of 3-Aryl-3-hydroxy/3-amido-3-arylbenzofuran-2(3 H)-ones.

A pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC)-mediated facile oxidative dimerization of 3-arylbenzofuran-2-ones at ambient temperature was developed which undergo oxidative cleavage to 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-benzofuran-2-ones with PCC at elevated temperatures. Finally, direct oxidation of 3-arylbenzofuran-2-ones to 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-benzofuran-2-ones was realized using a combination of PCC (10 mol %) and 2.0 equiv of HIO.