Intramolecular Minisci acylation under silver-free neutral conditions for the synthesis of azafluorenones and fluorenones.

Despite its synthetic potential, intramolecular acylation by the Minisci reaction remains unexplored. The development of a new intramolecular Minisci acylation under silver-free neutral conditions providing access to azafluorenones and fluorenones is described. Distinct from the current literature known approaches for Minisci acylation, the report described herein features a method that: (a) avoids the use of silver that is invariably used in Minisci acylation, (b) does not require any acidic conditions for the activation of pyridines, and