A New Convenient Synthesis of Alkoxyanthracenes from Alkoxy-9,10-anthraquinones

Methoxy-9,10-anthraquinones with mono-, di- and tetraether groups at different positions 1a-h can be directly reduced to the corresponding methoxyanthracenes 3a-h in moderate to good yields by zinc in refluxing acetic acid. Under similar conditions, ethyl 1′-anthracenoxyacetate (3i) with the ester group unaffected and 1,8-oxybis(ethyleneoxyethyleneoxy)anthracene (5) were also conveniently synthesized in 65 and 70% yields, respectively.