2,3-Dihalo- and 2,3,6,7-Tetrahaloanthracenes by Vollhardt Trimerization

We efficiently synthesized otherwise difficult to obtain 2,3- and 2,3,6,7-halogenated anthracenes with diverse east/west substituents. Key steps involve the (i) Vollhardt cyclization of bis(propargyl)benzenes with bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene, (ii) halo-desilylation introducing chlorine, bromine, or iodine substituents, and (iii) dehydrogenation. Pd catalysis allows selective functionalization at the anthracenes' east/west positions. A tetrahydropentacene is synthesized and derivatized via the same strategy, employing tetrapropargylbenzene.