Synthesis of Benzo[b]furans by Intramolecular C–O Bond Formation Using Iron and Copper Catalysis

One-pot processes for the synthesis of benzo­[b]­furans from 1-aryl- or 1-alkylketones using nonprecious transition metal catalysts have been developed. Regioselective iron­(III)-catalyzed halogenation of the aryl ring, followed by iron- or copper-catalyzed O-arylation allowed the synthesis of various structural analogues, including the benzo­[b]­furan-derived natural products corsifuran C, moracin F, and caleprunin B.