1,2-Diaroyl Benzofurans: Synthesis and Photochromic Properties

A cascade reaction involving a base-promoted nucleophilic substitution reaction between diketones and α-bromoacetophenone derivatives and the subsequent selective condensation–cyclization was developed for the synthesis of 1,2-diaroyl benzofurans. 1,2-Diaroyl benzofurans with different functional groups and structures exhibit reversible photochromic behaviors in solution, solid state, and thin films with diverse colors, demonstrating a potential application in the field of optical functional materials.