Benzofuran neolignans

When the alkynyl substrate possesses a nucleophilic functionality, intramolecular solvomercuration reactions can sometimes be observed. These reactions, which result in the formation of a heterocycle, have been used in the total synthesis of natural products. For example, reaction of 114 with Hg(OAc)2 affords the benzofuran derivative 115, which is an important intermediate for the synthesis of various neolignans (Equation (42)).154 155... 

The neolignans possess many different structures and are divided into more than fifteen subgroups. They include benzofuran, dihydrobenzofuran, diarylethane, benzodioxin, alkyl aryl ether and bicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives among others... 

The first enantioselective total synthesis of the 2-aryl-2,3-dihydro-3-benzofuran-carboxyamide neolignan grossamide was also developed using a fully automated and scalable fiow reactor [39]. 

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