During the course of our continuous investigation on preparation and properties of ‘quasi T-shaped’ benzo[b]thiophenes, we found silica gel-assisted synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes (for a review, see Ref. 1). Recently, we reported scope and limitations of the method in detail: Benzo[b]thiophenes bearing various functional groups were prepared from corresponding o-(alkylsulfanyl)(ethynyl)benzenes. Methylsulfanyl-substituted precursors as well as tertiary alkyl-sulfanyl precursors afforded benzo[b]thiophenes. The method was also applicable to preparation of 2-substituted thieno[3,2-b]thiophenes.
![Development of Silica gel-assisted Synthesis of Benzo[b]thiophenes](images/p047/fig_research_outcome_p001.png)
