Pd-Catalyzed Suzuki Coupling Followed by Intramolecular <i>Ipso</i> -Friedel–Crafts Arylation Process: Cascade Synthesis of Hydroxylated Fluorenes

A Pd-catalyzed cascade process has been developed for the direct synthesis of hydroxylated fluorenes from <i>o</i>-bromophenyl-substituted <i>p</i>-quinone methides (<i>p</i>-QMs) and 3-hydroxy-substituted arylboronic acids. This cascade process comprises Suzuki coupling, followed by intramolecular <i>ipso</i>-Friedel-Crafts arylation, which affords the functionalized fluorenes in good yields. This protocol offers several advantages, including substrate versatility and high regioselectivity. Additionally, both symmetrical and unsymmetrical <i>p</i>-quinone methides participate smoothly in this cascade process.