Rapid access to 9-arylfluorene and spirobifluorene through Pd-catalysed C-H arylation/deaminative annulation.

We describe here a facile synthesis of 9-arylfluorenes and spirobifluorenes from readily available 1,1-diarylmethylamines and iodoarenes through Pd-cataylsed C(sp 2 )-H arylation and a sequential deaminative annulation. The reaction features high efficiency and simplicity of operation, constituting an interesting shortcut to access fluorene compounds.