Hetero-Type Benzannulation Leading to Substituted Benzothio-Phenes

TiCl(4) (or SnCl(4))-promoted hetero-type benzannulation reactions using various (2,2-dichlorocyclopropyl)(thiophen-2-yl)methanols proceeded smoothly to produce uniquely substituted 4-chlorobenzothiophenes (five examples). The present approach involves the first distinctive thiophene formation from thiophene cores, in contrast to traditional methods of thiophene formation from benzene cores. The stereocongested (less reactive) Cl position in the obtained 4-chlorobenzothiophenes functioned successfully as the partners of three cross-coupling reactions: (i) a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-couplings using Pd(OAc)(2)/SPhos/K(3)PO(4) catalysis (seven examples; 63–91%), (ii) a hydroxylation using KOH/Pd(dba)(2)/tBu-XPhos catalysis (85%), and (iii) a borylation using a B(2)(pin)(2)/Pd(dba)(2)/XPhos/NaOAc catalysis-provided 4-(pin)B-benzothiophene (58%).