Diarylmethanes from Benzylic Phosphates and Arylmagnesium Halides

Significance

This method allows a simple preparation of polyfunctionalized diarylmethanes, starting from readily available benzylic phosphates and aryl halides. Recently developed methods for the halogen-magnesium exchange allow a simple preparation of a great variety of aryl- and hetarylmagnesium halides. This makes the approach one of the most versatile for the preparation of functionalized diarylmethanes, which are an important class of biologically active compounds. The utility of this method was demonstrated by the synthesis of antimicrobial drug trimethoprim.