A facile synthesis of benzo[b]thiophene derivatives

Lithiation of S-(2-methylphenyl) N,N,N',N'-tetramethylphosphorodiamidothioate with sec-BuLi at -105° gave the corresponding benzylic anion which was acylated with various aromatic esters to give various deoxybenzoin derivatives in moderate to high yields. Acidic treatment of these products in refluxing formic acid gave 2-arylbenzob]thiophene derivatives. 2-Methylbenzob]thiophene and benzob]thiophen-2(3H)-one were also prepared using the similar procedure.