title: Uncatalyzed zirconium-mediated biphenylation of o-dihalobenzenes to form triphenylenes.
abstract: The reaction of [Zr(biphe)3][(Li.(THF)4)2], where biphe is 2,2'-biphenyldiyl, with an o-dihaloarene produces a triphenylene. Two new bonds are created in this rare example of an uncatalyzed, Zr-mediated aryl-aryl bond formation. Multiple biphe fragments can be incorporated to give larger triphenylene-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This reaction can introduce significant strain and was demonstrated to tolerate alkyl and methoxy substituents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89577, USA.
authors.forename: Cameron L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Jamison
authors.forename: Benjamin T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: King