Synthesis of 10-Aryl- and 10-(Arylmethyl)acridin-9(10H)-ones via the Reaction of (2-Fluorophenyl)(2-halophenyl)methanones with Benzenamines and Arylmethanamines

The reaction of 1‐fluoro‐2‐lithiobenzenes, generated from 1‐bromo‐2‐fluorobenzenes 1 and BuLi, with 2‐halobenzaldehydes and subsequent oxidation of the resulting alcohols 2 afforded (2‐fluorophenyl)(2‐halophenyl)methanones 3, which, on treatment with benzenamines or arylmethanamines, followed by NaH, gave rise efficiently to 10‐aryl‐ or 10‐(arylmethyl)acridin‐9(10H)‐ones (5 or 7), respectively.