Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Sb -Aryl Stibines with Halogenomethyl Arenes to Give Unsymmetirc Diarylmethanes.

Herein, we describe a general method for the synthesis of unsymmetric diarylmethanes from (hetero)aryl methyl halides and Sb -aryl stibines. This protocol shows a broad substrate scope and a good functional group tolerance. Drug molecules, including beclobrate 3al and bifemelane 3as , and drug derivatives, including celecoxib 3p , ibuprofen 3ao , and probenecid 3ap , were efficiently synthesized on a gram scale. The possible mechanism is proposed on the basis of the results of control experiments.