4-Fluoro-4′-methoxybenzophenone (CAS number 345-89-1) is a benzophenone building block with fluorine and methoxy groups on both para-positions. Benzophenone derivatives are photosensitive, thus, 4-fluoro-4′-methoxybenzophenone is applied as a photocatalyst for photochemical fluorination with sulfur hexafluoride as the fluorine source. The photocatalytic reaction is performed under a 365 nm UV radiation, resulting in a moderated 56% yield.
4-Fluoro-4′-methoxybenzophenone is also utilized in the preparation of fluorenone, a fluorene derivative with a ketone on the 9-position. Fluorenone finds widespread applications in pharmaceutical industry and organic electronics. The reaction involves a palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenative cyclization, yielding up to 90%.