Dihydrobenzofuran production from catalytic tandem Claisen rearrangement-intramolecular hydroaryloxylation of allyl phenyl ethers in subcritical water

We herein report a mild method for the preparation of dihydrobenzofurans through hydrothermal catalytic tandem Claisen rearrangement-intramolecular hydroaryloxylation of allyl phenyl ethers. This reaction provides a new method for constructing dihydrobenzofurans, a process that is potentially applicable to natural product synthesis. SBA-15, TS-1, HZSM-5 were chosen as catalysts in a hydrothermal reaction medium between 200 and 320 °C. HZSM-5 catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity, and the effects of molar ratio of allyl phenyl ether-water, time, pressure, temperature and catalyst on the Claisen hydroaryloxylation in hydrothermal condition were investigated. The latter two process variables had the greatest influence on the product yields and distribution. A series of allyl phenyl ether derivatives were also treated in hydrothermal condition with HZSM-5 catalyst to offer high yield of corresponding dihydrobenzofurans.