A CRITICAL REVIEW ON SYNTHETIC PATHWAY OF BENZOFURANS

ABSTRACT “Benzofuran” a heterocyclic moiety which act as a lead molecule for several biologically active compounds. Besides, benzofuran derivatives show several activities like anti-tubercular, anti-tumor, anti plasmodial, cytotoxic and herbicidal. So, they found a variety of applications in manufacturing drugs as pharmacological agents and used in other fields of agriculture and organic chemistry. They are present as natural products which were isolated from Machilus glaucescens, Krameria ramosissima and Zanthoxylum ailanthoidol. One of such natural benzofuran derivative namely Napthofurans which have profound biological activities and represent a major class of heterocyclic compounds. The present literature reviews that the synthesis of different benzofuran derivatives and their biological activities in present day life. KEY WORDS: Benzofuran, Biological activities, Heterocyclic compound