Cyclization of Terphenyl-Bisfluorenols: A Mechanistic Study of the Regioselectvity

The mechanism of the bicyclization reaction of a series of terphenyl-bisfluorenols into dispiro[fluorene-9,6 '-indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-12 ',9 ''-fluorene] and dispiro[fluorene-9,6 '-indeno[2,1-a]fluorene-12 ',9 ''-fluorene] is reported. Through a combined experimental and theoretical study, the different parameters that drive the regioselectivity of this cyclization reaction have been studied and are presented.