Flash Communication: Mechanochemical Synthesis of Magnesium Anthracenes

Reaction of unactivated magnesium turnings, anthracene derivatives, and tetrahydrofuran for 1 h in a mixer mill (30 Hz) under argon provided convenient access to four magnesium anthracenes as their tris-THF complexes. Magnesium anthracene·THF₃, magnesium 9-methylanthracene·THF₃, magnesium 9,10-dimethylanthracene·THF₃, and magnesium 9-phenylanthracene·THF₃ were synthesized in good yields (83% (±1.2%), 85% (±0.5%), 85% (±0.8), and 87% (±1.1%), respectively). Analysis of these species by IR and NMR spectroscopy shows data consistent with material synthesized in solution.