A One-Pot Approach to 2,3-Diarylbenzo[ b]furans through N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Addition Followed by Acid Mediated Dehydrative Annulation.

A one-pot protocol for the synthesis of 2,3-diarylbenzo[ b]furan derivatives through an N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition of aromatic aldehydes to 2-hydroxyphenyl-substituted para-quinone methides followed by acid-mediated dehydrative annulation has been developed. This protocol allowed us to access a wide range of 2,3-diarylbenzo[ b]furan derivatives in moderate to good yields.