Efficient Synthesis of Functionalized [7]Helicenes

[7]Helicenebisquinones can be made easily and in quantity by reacting the silyl enol ethers of a 9,10-dialkoxy-, or better a 9,10-disiloxy-, 3,6-diacetylphenanthrene, with p-benzoquinone. If an ethyl enol ether is used in place of the silyl enol ether, the transformation proceeds in much lower yield. The [7]helicenes are efficiently resolved into their enantiomers, and absolute configurations are assigned.