Pd-catalyzed atom-economic couplings of triarylbismuth reagents with 2-bromo- and 2,6-dibromochromones and synthesis of medicinally important fisetin

Pd-catalyzed mono- and bis-arylation of chromones was demonstrated using triarylbismuths as threefold aryl transfer atom-economic reagents. This unprecedented study involving functionalized chromones afforded regio-selective mono-arylations leading to functionalized 2-arylchromones in good to high yields. Bis-arylation of 2,6-dibromochromones in one-pot operation furnished 2,6-diarylchromones in moderate to good yields. The present methodology was applied in the synthesis of naturally occurring and medicinally important fisetin molecule in high yield.