Synthesis 2017; 49(13): 2949-2957
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1588775
paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Convenient Phenacene Synthesis by Sequentially Performed Wittig­ Reaction and Mallory Photocyclization Using Continuous-Flow Techniques

Hideki Okamoto*
a   Division of Earth, Life, and Molecular Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Tsushima-Naka 3-1-1, Okayama 700-8350, Japan
,
Haruhiko Takahashi
a   Division of Earth, Life, and Molecular Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Tsushima-Naka 3-1-1, Okayama 700-8350, Japan
,
Takamitsu Takane
a   Division of Earth, Life, and Molecular Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Tsushima-Naka 3-1-1, Okayama 700-8350, Japan
,
Yasuhiro Nishiyama
b   Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
,
Kiyomi Kakiuchi
b   Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
,
Shin Gohda
c   Material Science Research Group, NARD Institute, Ltd., Nishinagasu-cho 2-6-1, Amagasaki, Hyogo 660-0805, Japan
,
Minoru Yamaji
d   Division of Molecular Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan   Email: hokamoto@okayama-u.ac.jp
› Author Affiliations
Supported by: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI JP26288032)
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 18 February 2017

Accepted after revision: 13 March 2017

Publication Date:
24 April 2017 (online)


Abstract

Various phenacenes possessing chrysene, picene, and fulminene frameworks were prepared by using a continuous-flow synthetic protocol in which Wittig reaction affording diarylethenes and their Mallory­ photocyclization producing phenacene skeletons were sequentially performed. The Wittig reaction solution, containing the diaryl­ethene obtained from an arylaldehyde and an arylmethyltriphenylphosphonium salt, was mixed with an iodine solution in the flow system and, subsequently, the solution was subjected to the photoreaction. Desired phenacenes were obtained with high to moderate chemical yield. For the present protocol, isolation of the intermediary diarylethene, which is the key precursor of the phenacene, is unnecessary. The approach provides a convenient method to supply a variety of phenacene samples, which are needed for initial systematic surveys in material science.

Supporting Information