A New Approach to the Synthesis of Benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-b]furan-6,11-diones and 2-Benzyl-3-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-diones

Here we describe modified syntheses of o-acetylbenzoic acids­ and o-acetylphenylacetic acids by Heck palladium-catalysed aryl­ation of n-butyl vinyl ether with o-iodobenzoic acids or with o-iodo­phenylacetic acids, respectively. General syntheses of benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-b]furan-6,11-diones from o-acetylbenzoic acids and 2-benzyl-3-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-diones from o-acetylphenylacetic acids are also reported.