Cycloaddition of Arynes with Iodonium Ylides: a Mild and General Route for the Synthesis of Benzofuran Derivatives

A mild and general cycloaddition of arynes with iodonium ylides protocol has been developed for the synthesis of benzofurans. In the presence of CsF, ortho-silyl aryltriflates were reacted with iodonium ylides smoothly at room temperature in moderate to good yields.