The highly efficient and expedient route for the syntheses of 2-aroyl benzofurans has been developed via the cascade [2+2] followed by a [4+1] annulation on arynes. The overall transformation proceeded through the formation of ortho-quinone methide by the insertion of transient aryne into N, N-dimethylformamide and subsequent trapping with sulfur ylide. Moreover, this transformation has a broad range of substrate scope with a high functional-group tolerance. This new reaction was successfully utilized in the synthesis of the potent CYP19 aromatase inhibitor and late-stage functionalization on the bioactive complex estrone.

Cp*Co(III)-catalyzed C-H functionalization cascade of N-methoxyamides with alkynedione has been reported for the synthesis of indolizidine scaffolds under redox-neutral conditions. The reaction displays broad functional group tolerance along with excellent yield. The reaction proceeds with kinetically relevant C-H bond activation through carboxylate assistance with excellent diastereoselectivity and complete opposite selectivity with respect to alkyne insertion.

Asymmetric synthesis of substituted tetrahydrofurans and dibenzofurans is emerging as a challenging field. Use of organocatalysis has been explored extensively to achieve the asymmetry involves mild conditions and control over enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity for the synthesis of substituted THF and DHB. A review of various conditions and catalysts developed so far towards the synthesis of substituted tetrahydrofuran and dibenzofuran are presented here.

International audienceAn efficient and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of substituted pyrroles has been developed via ruthenium-catalyzed multicomponent reaction of ketone, amine, and ethylene glycol in PEG-400 as solvent medium without using any external ligand. The catalytic system and solvent can be recycled with the same, as well as different, ketones with minimum loss of Ru-catalyst activity