Copper(0)/Selectfluor System-Promoted Oxidative Carbon–Carbon Bond Cleavage/Annulation of o‑Aryl Chalcones: An Unexpected Synthesis of 9,10-Phenanthraquinone Derivatives

A general and efficient protocol for the synthesis of 9,10-phenanthraquinone derivatives has been successfully developed involving a copper(0)/Selectfluor system-promoted oxidative carbon–carbon bond cleavage/annulation of o-aryl chalcones. A variety of substituted 9,10-phenanthraquinones were synthesized in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions.