A new access to the anthracene core: Synthesis of two water soluble singlet oxygen traps derived from 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran and 9,10-diphenylanthracene

Two water soluble¹O₂ traps: dipotassium 1,3 - diphenylisobenzofuran - 5,6 - dicar?ylate and tetrapotassium 9,10 - diphenylanthracene - 2,3,6,7 - tetracar?ylate have been prepared in good yields and a new access to the anthracene skeleton is described. The key-step of this synthesis consists of a cycloaddition between 1,3 - diphenylisobenzofurans and dimethyl 7 - oxabicyclo2.2.1] - 5 - heptene - 2,3 - dicar?ylate; the adducts thus obtained undergo dehydration to afford the corresponding anthracenes.