Unlocking the Potential: A Comprehensive Review for the Synthesis of Benzofuran Derivatives

Abstract: Benzofuran, a versatile heterocyclic compound, has gained considerable attention in recent years due to its diverse biological activities, distinctive structural characteristics, broad synthetic approaches, and extensive applications. The growing potential inherent in benzofuran encourages many researchers to address the challenges of the synthesis of its framework. This comprehensive review aims to provide a detailed overview of the recent advancements in the synthesis of diverse benzofuran derivatives, highlighting innovative strategies, synthetic methodologies, and significant breakthroughs in the field. The synthetic methodologies are classified as metalcatalyzed routes, green-solvent-based routes, microwave-assisted methods, catalyst-free and solvent- free methods, and a miscellaneous group of routes. This categorization in review provides an easy means for the reader to rationally select the best possible synthetic method for benzofuran derivatives. In addition, it explores the use of different solvents and catalysts in benzofuran synthesis, which serves as a valuable resource for chemists, researchers, and scientists involved in pharmaceutical and allied sciences. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis of benzofuran scaffolds and complies with all the significant developments in the synthetic routes of benzofuran, which will be useful for researchers interested in the development of new benzofuran-based molecules.