Synthesis of functionalized triarylmethanes based on a ‘FeCl3-catalyzed benzylation/[3+3] cyclocondensation’ strategy

Functionalized triarylmethanes are prepared in two steps by FeCl3-catalyzed benzylation of acetylacetone to give 3-(diarylmethyl)pentane-2,4-diones and subsequent formal [3+3] cyclization of the latter with 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-dienes.