2-(10-Diazo-10H-anthracen-9-ylidene)-malonodinitrile: A convenient precursor of 9,10-disubstituted anthracenes

Summary The acid promoted decomposition of 2-(10-diazo-10H-anthracen-9-ylidene)-malonodinitrile in the presence of water, methanol, ethanol, acetic and propionic acid, ethyl thioglycolate,p-thiocresole, and acetyl acetone yielding 9,10-disubstituted 9,10-dihydroanthracenes was investigated. Treatment of the reaction products with tri-ethyl amine followed by hydrochloric acid caused their tautomerization to the corresponding 9,10-disubstituted anthracenes. A mechanism for this reaction is proposed. The first example of an intermolecular C-C-bond formation during the protic acid promoted decomposition of a diazo compound in the presence of CH-acids was found. An improved procedure for the preparation of the starting diazo compound, which may serve as a convenient precursor of 9,10-disubstituted anthracenes, is described.Cordially dedicated to Prof. Dr.K. Winsauer on the occasion of his 70^th birthday