An expeditious synthesis of polyhydroxylated 2-arylbenzo[b]furans

An expeditious synthesis of polyhydroxylated 2-arylbenzo[b]furans is described. The key steps are the conversion of the corresponding polymethoxylated stilbenes into diarylethanoid molecules (epoxide or alcohol) that were demethylated and cyclised using boron tribromide to give the target polyhydroxylated 2-arylbenzo[b]furans.