Recent Progress in the Synthesis of Benzo[b]thiophene

Benzo[b]thiophenes are aromatic heterocyclic compounds containing benzene and thiophene rings. This class of heterocycles is present in a large number of natural and non-natural compounds. Benzo[b]thiophene derivatives have a broad range of applications in medicinal chemistry such as antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-HIV and antiinflammatory activities. The use of benzo[b]thiophene derivatives in other fields has also been reported. Various benzo[b]thiophenes compounds have been employed as organic photoelectric materials, while several benzo[b]thiophenes have been used as organic semiconductors. Benzo[b]thiophenes have also been used as building blocks or intermediates for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important molecules.

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Due to such a wide range of applicability, the synthesis of benzo[b]thiophene derivatives has attracted intensive research. Numerous mild and efficient approaches for the synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes have been developed over the years. Different catalysts and substrates have been applied for benzo[b]thiophene synthesis. This review will focus on the studies in the construction of benzo[b]thiophene skeleton, which date back from 2012.