Gold‐catalyzed Alkyne Hydroxylation: Synthesis of 2‐Substituted Benzo[b]furan Compounds

A strategy concerning the synthesis of 2‐substituted benzo[ b ]furan compounds from o ‐alkynyl phenols via a gold‐catalyzed alkyne hydroxylation is described, which allows the rapid synthesis of various 2‐substituted benzo[ b ]furan derivatives in excellent yields under mild conditions. The o ‐alkynyl phenol precursors were readily prepared with a Sonogashira coupling reaction.