Symmetrical bisquinolones via metal-catalyzed cross-coupling and homocoupling reactions.

Functionalized 4,4'-bisquinolones can be efficiently synthesized by microwave-assisted palladium(0)-catalyzed one-pot borylation/Suzuki cross-coupling reactions or via nickel(0)-mediated homocouplings of 4-chloroquinolin-2(1H)-one precursors. Both methods are also applicable to other types of symmetrical biaryls.