Abstract : Three approaches were investigated to obtain a general method of synthesis of low-cost bis-benzil monomers for use in quinoxaline resin systems. Reaction of phenylmagnesium bromide with iron carbonyl and acid chlorides was unsuccessful. Reaction of acid chlorides with benzylidene triphenylphosphorane followed by periodate oxidation proved successful. Palladium catalyzed conversion of dibromoaromatics to bis-acetylenes followed by permanganate oxidation also proved successful. The scope of these reactions was explored.