An efficient and practical preparation of 2-arylbenzo[b]furan molecules including natural egonol, XH-14, ailanthoidol, and unnatural derivatives is demonstrated using Sonogashira coupling, iodine induced cyclization and Wittig reaction. Anti-inflammatory effects of the prepared benzo[b]furans were examined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264-7 macrophages. The results showed that ailanthoidol, XH-14 and three other unnatural derivatives (9-10, 13) inhibited significantly the production of inflammatory mediator nitric oxide without showing cytotoxicity.