Piperonal (I) is brominated by means of Br2 in AcOH to produce (II). Subsequent Suzuki coupling of aryl bromide (II) with 4-(methylsulfanyl)benzeneboronic acid (III) furnishes adduct (IV). Addition of 3-fluorophenylmagnesium bromide (V) to aldehyde (IV) leads to carbinol (VI). The sulfide group is further oxidized to sulfone (VII) employing oxone in aqueous MeOH. Finally, oxidation of alcohol (VII) with pyridinium chlorochromate provides the target ketone. (1,2)