Abstract
The benzofurans and naphthofurans so far were obtained either by using catalyst or as side products. In the present investigation we are reporting first time the exclusive formation of only 3-acetyl-5-hydroxy-2-methylbenzofuran and 3-acetyl-5-hydroxy-2-methylnaphthofuran in quantitative yield by adopting the Nenitzescu reaction. Further, these 5-hydroxybenzofuran and 5-hydroxynaphthofuran were converted to their corresponding 5-methoxyl/5-methoxycarbonylmethoxy derivatives.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank RSIC, Punjab University, Chandigarh and CDRI, Lucknow for the spectral and analytical services. One of the author (RRK) is grateful to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi for the award of Senior Research Fellowship.