Direct access to 3-trifluoromethyl-substituted benzofuranols is presented. The products are obtained in good yields from commercially available salicylaldehydes by using in situ generated trifluoromethyl diazomethane and boron trifluoride as an activator. As shown in a representative example, the products can be transformed into the corresponding trifluoromethyl-substituted benzofurans.