Synthesis of Substituted Benzofurans via Microwave-Enhanced Catch and Release Strategy

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel shikonin-benzo[b]furan derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors targeting the colchicine binding site

A novel series of shikonin-benzo[b]furan derivatives were designed and synthesized as tubulin polymerization inhibitors, and their biological activities were evaluated. Most compounds revealed the comparable anti-proliferation activities against the cancer cell lines to that of shikonin and simultaneously low cytotoxicity to non-cancer cells. Among them, compound 6c displayed powerful anti-cancer activity with the IC₅₀ value of 0.18 μM against HT29 cells, which was significantly better than that of the reference drugs shikonin and CA-4. What's more, 6c could inhibit tubulin polymerization and compete with [³H] colchicine in binding to tubulin. Further biological studies depicted that 6c can induce cell apoptosis and cell mitochondria depolarize, regulate the expression of apoptosis related proteins in HT29 cells. Besides, 6c actuated the HT29 cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, and influenced the expression of the cell-cycle related protein. Moreover, 6c displayed potent inhibition on cell migration and tube formation that contributes to the antiangiogenesis. These results prompt us to consider 6c as a potential tubulin polymerization inhibitor and is worthy for further study.

Facile synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans and indoles by copper-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of 2-alkynyl phenols and tosylanilines

A catalytic amount of CuCl and Cs₂CO₃ was employed to synthesize a variety of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans and indoles by an intramolecular cyclization of 2-alkynyl phenols and tosylanilines. This protocol features mild conditions, high yields and broad substrate scope, which makes it a practical method for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans and indoles.

A facile and inexpensive copper-catalyzed method was developed for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans and indoles.

Recyclable Pd/CuFe2O4 nanowires: a highly active catalyst for C–C couplings and synthesis of benzofuran derivatives

Pd/CuFe₂O₄ nanowire-catalyzed cross coupling transformations are described. Notably, these reactions showed excellent functional group tolerance. Further, the protocol is applied to a one-pot synthesis of benzofurans via a Sonogashira coupling and intramolecular etherification sequence. The catalyst was reused and found to maintain its activity and stability.

Efficient heterogeneous Pd/CuFe₂O₄ nanowires which catalyze cross coupling transformations are described. The protocol is applied to a one-pot synthesis of benzofurans via Sonogashira coupling and an intramolecular etherification sequence.

Water-promoted ortho-selective monohydroxymethylation of phenols in the NaBO2 system

Water-promoted ortho-selective monohydroxymethylation of phenols in the NaBO₂ system generates salicyl alcohols in excellent yields.

An Expedient Protocol to the Synthesis of Benzo(b)furans by Palladium Induced Heterocyclization of Corresponding 2-Allylphenols Containing Electron Rich and Electron Capturing Substituents in the Arene Ring

A facile and rapid accessibility to the libraries containing several mono, and disubstituted benzo(b)furan derivatives substituted with a variety of electron rich and electron capturing groups on 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 positions of its nucleus has been explored using the PdCl2(CH3CN)2catalyzed heterocyclization of the corresponding 2-allylphenols to afford2(a–m)in good yield and high purity.