A Convenient Synthesis of Tetrabenzo[de,hi,mn,qr]naphthacene from Readily Available 1,2-Di(phenanthren-4-yl)ethyne

We report here a convenient synthesis of tetrabenzo[de,hi,mn,qr]naphthacenes from 1,2-di(phenanthren-4-yl)ethynes through initial Brønsted acid-catalyzed hydroarylation, followed by FeCl(3)-oxidative coupling reactions. This new method is applicable to tetrabenzo[de,hi,mn,qr]naphthacenes bearing various alkyl substituents.