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.