Unexpected one-pot method to synthesize spiro[fluorene-9,9′-xanthene] building blocks for blue-light-emitting materials

An unexpected one-pot synthetic approach toward spiro[fluorene-9,9'-xanthene] (SFX) under excessive MeSO3H conditions has been developed. The key step involves a thermodynamically controlled cyclization reaction. Blue-light-emitting materials based on SFX building blocks that exhibit high thermal stability have also been synthesized.