Room Temperature C–H Arylation of Benzofurans by Aryl Iodides

A robust method of room temperature direct arylation for benzofuran is reported. This discovery allows for mild arylation by commercially available aryl iodides with complete C-2 regioselectivity and tolerates a range of functional groups, including heat sensitive groups. Mechanistically, a Heck-type oxyarylation product from a direct arylation process is reported as a key piece of evidence for a carbopalladation intermediate.