Synthesis of structurally diverse diarylketones through the diarylmethyl sp3 C-H oxidation

Under open-flask conditions, an efficient method to assemble a series of diversely functionalized diarylketones in the presence of commercially available NBS has been developed. Yields of up to 99% have been achieved employing diarylmethanes as starting material. Based on O-18-labeled experiment, the addition of stoichiometric water eventually leads to excellent yields in all carbonylation cases. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.