Synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophene via a Pd-catalyzed coupling of 2-iodothiophenol with phenylacetylene

Abstract

A Pd(ii)-catalyzed Sonogashira type cross-coupling reaction between 2-iodothiophenol and phenylacetylene has been developed. A series of 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophenes were obtained in moderate to good yield (up to 87%). The application of this method was demonstrated by the synthesis of 2-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)benzo[b]thiophene 1,1-dioxide and (4-methoxyphenyl)(2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)methanone, which exhibit a fluorescence quantum yield of up to 1 and can be used as a cannabinoid receptor ligand, respectively.