A palladium-catalyzed domino process to access unsymmetrical diarylindolylmethanes has been developed through the annulation of o-alkynylanilines followed by 1,6-conjugate addition with p-quinone methides (p-QMs) under relatively mild conditions. The broad substrate scope of this methodology was demonstrated through the use of a wide range of substituted o-alkynylanilines and p-quinone methides, and in most cases, the unsymmetrical diarylindolylmethanes could be prepared in moderate to excellent yields. Notably, this method does not require any amino group protection. Moreover, 100% atom economy makes this transformation attractive from a green chemistry perspective.

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A bis(amino)cyclopropenylidene-catalyzed direct method for the synthesis of α,α'-diarylated ketones from aromatic as well as heteroaromatic aldehydes has been developed. This unprecedented organocatalytic protocol offers access to a wide range of α,α'-diarylated ketones in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions through umpolung of aldehydes followed by 1,6-conjugate addition with para-quinone methides.

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A Lewis acid-catalyzed intermolecular 1,6-hydroolefination of p-quinone methides with styrenes leading to vinyl diarylmethanes and indenes has been developed. This protocol was also elaborated to the total synthesis of (±)-isopaucifloral F. Besides, interestingly, the reaction between 2-alkynylated p-quinone methides and styrenes provided a straightforward access to dihydrobenzo[ a]fluorene derivatives in one pot with 100% atom-economy.