Synthesis of heterocyclic homotriptycenes

A series of novel heterocyclic homotriptycenes bearing furan, thiophene, and pyridine rings, 7a-f, were synthesized by intramolecular dehydration reactions of 10,10-dihetarylmethyl-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols 6a-f. In the presence of acids, the secondary alcohols 6a-f show different reactions which depend on the electron densities of the attached heterocyclic rings. The initially formed carbenium ions react in an electrophilic substitution with electron-rich heterocycles. The formation of a transannular bridge (1,7-elimination) leads to homotriptycenes in high yields. When the heterocyclic ring has a moderate electron density, two competitive reactions exist, which afford 9-monosubstituted anthracenes by 1,4-elimination or 9,10-disubstituted anthracenes by a rearrangement, respectively. Electron-deficient heterocycles undergo a disproportionation to give hydrocarbons and ketones.