The carboarylation reaction of biphenyl-alkynes was successfully triggered by electrophilic attack of 1,1-bis(triflyl)ethylene on the alkyne moiety to give polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) decorated by superacidic carbon acid functionality. Neutralisation of thus obtained acids with NaHCO3 yielded the corresponding sodium salts, which showed improved solubility in both aqueous and organic solvents.
Keywords: carbanions; cyclization; electrophilic substitution; fluorine; polycycles.
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