Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of fluoreones from bis(2-bromophenyl)methanols

A palladium-catalyzed synthesis method of fluorenones has been developed. A variety of bis(2-bromophenyl)methanols could undergo the reaction smoothly in the presence of Pd(OAc)2, affording a series of fluorenones in moderate to good yields (two steps). Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction might be triggered by oxidation of alcohol followed by intramolecular reductive coupling.