A NEW SYNTHESIS OF 2-SUBSTITUTED BENZOFURANS AND BENZOTHIOPHENS: NOVEL FRAGMENTATION REACTIONS OF SIMPLE ALKYL GROUPS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)96366-4

Flash vacuum pyrolysis of (2-methoxy- and (2-methylthiobenzoyl)alkylidenetriphenylphosphoranes results in loss of Ph₃PO and methyl radical; cyclisation of the resulting radical intermediates leads to benzofurans and benzothiophens in which the 2-substituents have undergone novel fragmentation processes.