A novel and efficient synthesis of xanthones is described. 2-(Trimethylsilyl)phenyl 2-fluorobenzoate derivatives undergo Fries-type rearrangement and intramolecular SNAr reaction in a one-pot sequential manner under fluoride ion-promoted mild conditions. The method provides efficient access to xanthones that have significant steric congestion around the C9 carbonyl, which are not readily available
The first total synthesis of patulone, a plant metabolite possessing a unique 1,1-diisoprenyl-1H-xanthene-2,9-dione structure, is described. Starting from a 1-fluroxanthone derivative with suitable substitution pattern, the pivotal gem-diisoprenylation was efficiently accomplished by implementing twice the sequence of addition of isoprenyl Grignard reagent to the carbonyl at C9 and anion-accelerated