A facile synthesis of benzofuroisocoumarins from C-2 arylated 1,3-indanediones

Refluxing 2-hydroxy-2-(2'-hydroxy-aryl/naphthyl)-1,3-indanediones in ethyleneglycol with a catalytic amount of triethylamine produces benzofuroisocoumarins after a short reaction time (15 min) in very good yields.