Novel synthetic route toward benzofuran-pyridine-based spirans

A novel domino reaction of tetrahydrobenzofuro[3,2-c] or [2,3-c]pyridines with dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD) or methyl propiolate (MP) resulted in the formation of spirobenzofuranpyridines in moderate yields. The spirobenzofuran derivatives reported may be considered analogs of the antifungal drug griseofulvin. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.