| Abstract: | 3-Methyl-5-nitrobenzofuran ( 2 ) and 3-methyl-5-nitrobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ( 3 ) were obtained by heating 2-acetyl-4-nitrophenoxyacetic acid ( 1 ) with various bases in acetic anhydride. It appeared that 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-nitro-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ( 4 ) was the intermediate in the benzofuran synthesis. The properties of 4 were examined under various conditions. Using strong bases such as triethyl-amine in place of sodium acetate, 3-methyl-5-nitrobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ( 3 ) was obtained exclusively. However, in the presence of acetic acid in the reaction mixture 3-methyl-5-nitrobenzofuran ( 2 ) was obtained in good yield. The reaction pathways for the formation of 2 and 3 are discussed. |
