Synthesis of Triarylmethanes by Decarbonylation of 3,3-Diaryl Benzofuranones

A simple protocol for the synthesis of triarylmethane derivatives with three different (hetero)aryl groups by decarbonylation of 3,3-diaryl benzofuranones, which can easily be prepared via arylation of benzofuranones, was developed. The reaction proceeds on heating in dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of CH3ONa and water to generate the products in good to excellent yields. This reaction can be easily scaled up to give a triarylmethane in a gram scale. Further chemical manipulation of the products enabled useful transformations of the phenol ring, including reduction, arylation, cyclization, etc.