A transition-metal-free decarbonylation-oxidation protocol for the conversion of 3-arylbenzofuran-2(3H)-ones to 2-hydroxybenzophenones under mild conditions has been developed. NMR studies confirmed the role of in-situ-generated hydroperoxide in the conversion. The protocol was applied to a diverse range of substrates to access the target products in good to excellent yields. A structure-activity study for the 5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenones towards UV-protection abilities has been verified by mathematical calculations.
Keywords: 2-hydroxybenzophenone; UV-protection; decarbonylation–oxidation; hydroperoxide; transition-metal-free.
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