Palladium-Catalyzed C–H Benzannulation of Functionalized Furans and Pyrroles with Alkynes

A benzannulation strategy involving activation of two C–H bonds of five-membered heteroarenes was developed. Readily available furans and pyrroles stabilized by synthetically useful electron-withdrawing groups underwent Pd-catalyzed 1:2 annulation reactions with diaryl alkynes. A variety of functional groups, including ester, amide, ketone, aldehyde, and nitrile, on the heterocyclic cores were tolerated in the Pd-catalyzed oxidative reactions. In these reactions, the combination of 2,2-dimethylbutyric acid and its conjugate base facilitated metalation at the heteroaromatic rings and reoxidation of the Pd(0) species using oxygen as the terminal oxidant. This strategy provides fluorescent ­benzofuran and indole derivatives and is expected to allow for further development of functionalized polycyclic heteroaromatic compounds.