A convenient ring formation of 3-aryl-2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans from phenols and 2-aryl-2,2-dialkylacetaldehydes

A new and simple route for the preparation of 3-aryl-2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans from phenols is described. In the presence of an acid catalyst phenols react with 2-aryl-2,2-dialkylacetaldehydes, prepared in good yield from 2-arylacetonitriles in 2 steps, to give 3-aryl-2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans. Electron-donating substituents were required on the phenols in order to give 3-aryl-2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans in good yield.