Iodine-Mediated, Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of 1-Arylnaphthofurans via Cyclization of 1-(1′-Arylvinyl)-2-naphthols

A metal-free, one-pot, iodine-mediated, microwave-assisted cyclization of 1-(1′-arylvinyl)-2-naphthols ( ortho -vinylnaphthols) into 1-arylnaphthofurans is developed. The 1-arylnaphthofurans are isolated in good to excellent yields (65–90%) using two equivalents of iodine in acetonitrile. The reactions proceed via the formation of 1-(2-iodo-1-phenylvinyl)naphthalen-2-ols as intermediates. Overall, the protocol is convenient as the reactions occur smoothly without the requirement of a transition-metal catalyst.