What is "benzofuran"

n. (context organic chemistry English) Any of a class of bicyclic heterocycles consisting of a benzene ring fused with one of furan.

n. a colorless oily compound extracted from coal tar and used in manufacturing synthetic resins [syn: coumarone, cumarone]

Benzofuran is the heterocyclic compound consisting of fused benzene and furan rings. This colourless liquid is a component of coal tar. Benzofuran is the "parent" of many related compounds with more complex structures. For example, psoralen is a benzofuran derivative that occurs in several plants.