Pd(OAc)(2)/o-chloranil/M(OTf)(n) can effectively promote the C-H arylation of fluoranthene with arylboron compounds or arylsilanes. The reaction takes place with high regioselectivity at the C3 position of fluoranthene. Moreover, the new catalytic system allows the use of unfunctionalized arenes as coupling partners in the arylation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The same catalytic system is applied to the reaction of fluoranthene or pyrene with aryl boron compounds, aryl silanes or even unfunctionalized arenes.