A facile one-pot synthesis of 2-unsubstituted highly functionalized be
nzo[b]furans is reported. The synthesis includes the coupling of an io
dophenol derivative with (trimethylsilyl)acetylene, catalyzed by a Pd(
0)/Cu(I) system, and a regioselective cyclization-deprotection step me
diated by TMG (1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine) and SiO2. Selective reduc
tions then afford the dihydro analogues.