It is synthesised by aerobic oxidation of fluorene:[2]
(C6H4)2CH2 + O2 → (C6H4)2CO + H2O
Fluorenone sustains up to four nitro groups giving 2,4,5,7-tetranitrofluorenone.[3]
Applications
Several substituted fluorenones are biologically active as antibiotic, anticancer, antiviral, or neuromodulatory compounds.[4]
Some substituted azafluorenones are biologically active, such as the naturally occurring antimicrobial compound onychine (1-methyl-4-azafluorenone).[5] The compound 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one is used for fingerprint detection.