A novel approach to the synthesis of benzo[b]fluoren-11-ones

A novel intramolecular palladium-mediated arylation approach to benzob]fluoren-11-ones has been investigated. This approach involves the novel oxidation of the key starting 2-(2′-bromobenzyl)naphthols to 2-(2′-bromobenzyl)-1,4-naphthoquinones, followed by protection of the quinone moiety of the latter compounds and the final Pd-promoted bi-arylic cyclization of the resulting 2-(2′-bromobenzyl)-1,4-dimethoxynaphthalenes.