Synthesis of 4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]thiophenes, 8H‐indeno[2,1‐b]‐thiophenes and 8H‐indeno[2,1‐b]furans having acrylic acid unit

Treatment of methyl propiolate and 2‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)benzaldehyde, 2‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)benzaldehyde or 2‐(furan‐3‐yl)benzaldehyde with tetrabutylammonium iodide/zirconium (IV) chloride or treatment of methyl acrylate and the same aldehydes with 1,4‐diazabicyclo2,2,2]octane and triethanolamine induce an aldol‐type reaction to furnish Baylis‐Hillman adducts β‐iodo‐α‐(hydroxymethyl)acrylates or α‐(hydroxy‐methyl)acrylates, respectively. These can be used for the preparation of indenothiophenes and indenofurans having acrylic acid unit by intramolecular Friedel‐Crafts reaction with sulfuric acid in tetrachloromethane.