Radical Alkyne peri-Annulation Reactions for the Synthesis of Functionalized Phenalenes, Benzanthrenes, and Olympicene

Abstract

Radical cyclization reactions at a peri position were used for the synthesis of polyaromatic compounds. Depending on the choice of reaction conditions and substrate, this flexible approach led to Bu₃ Sn-substituted phenalene, benzanthrene, and olympicene derivatives. Subsequent reactions with electrophiles provided synthetic access to previously inaccessible functionalized polyaromatic compounds.

Keywords: alkyne benzannulation; cyclization; polyaromatic compounds; radical reactions; zigzag edge.