Acetic acid, 2-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-, methyl ester → Methyl 2-(benzofuran-2-yl)acetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2-coumaranone (5.0 g, 37 mmol) and methyl(triphenylphosphoranylideneacetate) (13.5 g, 40 mmol) in toluene (70 mL) was heated to reflux for 25 hours. More toluene was added (10 mL), and after a further 5 hours, more methyl(triphenylphosphoranylideneacetate) (0.5 g, 1.5 mmol). After another 19 hours, a further 1.0 g (3.0 mmol) was added, and after a further 21 hours, the solvent was removed in vacuo. Column chromatography (heptane:ethyl acetate 4:1) gave the product as a brown oil, 28 mmol, 75%.

Provenance & Evidence