Synthesis of functionalized diarylbenzofurans via Ru-catalyzed C–H activation and cyclization under air: rapid access to the polycyclic scaffold of diptoindonesin G

A method was developed for rapid assembly of 2,3-diarylbenzofuran-4-carboxylic acids from m -hydroxybenzoic acids and alkynes via Ru-catalyzed C–H alkenylation and cyclization, which was successfully applied for total synthesis of diptoindonesin G.