Synthesis of polycyclic heterocycles via a one-pot ortho alkylation/direct heteroarylation sequence.

[reaction: see text] Polycyclic thiophenes and furans were synthesized using a one-pot ortho alkylation/direct heteroarylation reaction sequence. Under the optimized reaction conditions, aryl iodides were coupled with 3-(bromoalkyl)thiophenes or -furans, affording six- and seven-membered annulated ring products via formation of two C-C bonds from two aryl C-H bonds.