Synthesis of Fluorenes Starting from 2-lodobiphenyls and CH2Br2 through Palladium-Catalyzed Dual C-C Bond Formation

A facile and efficient approach is developed for the synthesis of fluorene and its derivatives starting from 2-iodobiphenyls and CH2Br2. A range of fluorene derivatives can be synthesized under relatively mild conditions. The reaction proceeds via a tandem palladium-catalyzed dual C-C bond formation sequence through the key dibenzopalladacyclopentadiene intermediates, which are obtained from 2-iodobiphenyls through palladium-catalyzed C-H activation.