Iron-Catalyzed, Microwave-Promoted, One-Pot Synthesis of 9-Substituted Xanthenes by a Cascade Benzylation−Cyclization Process

An efficient iron-catalyzed, microwave-promoted cascade benzylation-cyclization of phenols is reported. Benzyl acetates, benzyl bromides, and benzyl carbonates are suitable benzylating reagents. The reactions proceed to afford both 9-aryl and 9-alkyl xanthene derivatives in good to high yields using FeCl(3) as the catalyst under MW irradiation conditions.