Visible-Light-Induced Flavin Catalysis: A Green Route to Naphtho[2,1-b]furans via an o-(Naphtho)quinone Intermediate

A green and aerobic method for naphthofuran synthesis leverages riboflavin tetraacetate as a potent photocatalyst, accommodating diverse functional groups and a wide range of substrates. A comprehensive set of control experiments confirmed the involvement of o-(naphtho)quinone intermediates in the reaction mechanism, supporting the proposed catalytic pathway.