Iridium‐Catalyzed Reactions of ω‐Arylalkanols to α,ω‐Diarylalkanes

The long and the short of it : An atom‐economical route to α,ω‐diarylalkanes from ω‐arylalkanols was achieved by a direct one‐step method, or a sequential two‐step method depending on the alkyl chain length. The reaction proceeded through the formation of β‐methylhydroxy‐α,ω‐diarylalkanes by dehydrogenation/β‐alkylation, followed by dehydrogenation/decarbonylation.