Preparation of (substituted) picenes via solar light-induced Mallory photocyclization

Abstract

Picenes 2a-c were readily obtained via photocyclization of dinaphthylethenes 1a-c by a straightforward solar light-induced Mallory reaction. The product was easily recovered by simple filtration after exposure of the reaction mixture to sunlight. The polyene obtained was then characterized by means of Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.