A Cu(0)/Selectfluor system-catalyzed intramolecular C-sp2-H/C-sp2-H bond cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 2-aryloxybenzaldehydes is described. A variety of substituted xanthone derivatives are synthesized in moderate to excellent yields. Reaction can also be extended to the synthesis of 9H-thioxanthen-9-one 10,10-dioxide and phenanthridin-6(5H)-ones, respectively. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.