Chromium-mediated synthesis of polycyclic aromatic compounds from halobiaryls

reaction: see text] Reaction of 2,2'-dihalobiphenyl with butyllithium followed by the addition of chromium(III) chloride and alkynes afforded the corresponding phenanthrene derivatives via formal 4 + 2] cycloaddition. A variety of alkynes could be used for this reaction, such as alkyl, aryl, silyl, and alkoxycarbonyl alkynes. Repetitive process of the reaction gave more extended polycyclic compounds such as benzog]chrysene and azacyclopentaphenalene derivatives.