Synthesis of 2-carbethoxy-3-methyl-4-hydroxybenzofuran derivatives

A number of 2-.carbethoxy-3-methylbenzofuran derivatives were synthesized. A 5,5-gem-dibromo derivative was obtained in the bromination of 2-carbethoxy-3-methyl-4-oxo-4, 5,6,7,tetrahydrobenzofuran. Dehydrobromination of this, dibromo derivative gave 2-carbethoxy-3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-bromobenzofuran. Depending on the structure of the starting compound and the brominating agent, the bromine in the bromination of 2-carbethoxy-3-methyl-4-hydroxy- and 4-acetoxybenzofurans with bromine and N-bromosuccinimide is incorporated either in the methyl group or in 5 and 7 positions of the benzofuran ring. The nitration of 2-carbethoxy-3-methyl-4-hydroxybenzofuran and its bromo derivative leads to 5-nitro- and 5,7-dinitrobenzofuran derivatives. The structures of the synthesized benzofuran derivatives were established by means of the PMR spectra.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 27–29, January, 1980.