Efficient Synthetic Photocyclization for Phenacenes Using a Continuous Flow Reactor

Abstract The continuous flow reaction technique has been applied to the photocyclization of 1,2-diarylethenes, the so-called Mallory reaction, to afford phenacenes in high chemical yields and efficiencies (114–288 mg h−1). The present technique will allow us to produce several grams of phenacenes at a time.