Aldol condensation between 5'-fluoro-2'-hydroxyacetophenone (I) and 4-(methylthio)benzaldehyde (II) produces chalcone (III). Oxidative cyclization of (III) in hot DMSO in the presence of iodine leads to the flavone compound (IV). Further oxidation of the methylthio group of (IV) employing oxone furnishes sulfone (V). Conversion of flavone (V) into the 3-iodo derivative (VI) is carried out by treatment with iodine and bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodobenzene. Finally, Suzuki coupling of the iodoflavone (VI) with lithium trimethoxy-3-pyridylboronate (VII) provides the desired 2,3-diaryl benzopyranone