Synthesis of 9-(C<sub>n-1</sub>F<sub>2n-1</sub>)-substituted acridine by the reaction of 2-(C<sub>n</sub>F<sub>2n+1</sub>)-substituted aniline with <i>ortho</i>-methyl-substituted aromatic Grignard reagent
or chloride or their substituted analogs yields an acridine containing a shorter perfluoroalkyl group at the 9 position and devoid of the methyl group of the Grignard substrate. Interestingly, no acridine is produced in an attempted reaction with aryl magnesium bromide without the ortho methyl group. With 2-fluoro-6-methylphenylmagnesium bromide the methyl group is eliminated and the fluorine is retained
The title chemistry involves regioselectively a benzylic position of the perfluoroalkyl group and provides an easy access to substituted quinolines and methanes.