Acid-catalyzed cyclization of anthracenol derivatives to homotriptycenes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo0526791

10-Benzyl-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols, having high electron densities in the benzene ring, exhibit in the presence of acid a transannular ring closure to the corresponding homotriptycenes in almost quantitative yields. Since the starting compounds are easily accessible from 9(10H)-anthracenone, this process represents the most facile route to such pentacyclic systems. An electron-releasing methoxy group enables the intramolecular electrophilic substitution in its para position. In the absence of such an activation, a number of alternative processes can occur, namely the acid-catalyzed dehydration to anthracene derivatives with (R ≠ H) or without (R = H) rearrangement or a disproportionation reaction of the secondary alcohol to the corresponding ketone and hydrocarbon.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/jo0526791

Acid-Catalyzed Cyclization of Anthracenol Derivatives to
Homotriptycenes
Chunmei Gao,†,‡ Derong Cao,*,†,§ Sheyang Xu,†,‡ and Herbert Meier|
College of Chemistry, South China UniVersity of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China,
LCLC Guangzhou Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China,
Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China, and Institute of Organic
Chemistry, UniVersity of Mainz, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
drcao@scut.edu.cn
ReceiVed December 31, 2005
10-Benzyl-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols, having high electron densities in the benzene ring, exhibit in
the presence of acid a transannular ring closure to the corresponding homotriptycenes in almost quantitative
yields. Since the starting compounds are easily accessible from 9(10H)-anthracenone, this process represents
the most facile route to such pentacyclic systems. An electron-releasing methoxy group enables the
intramolecular electrophilic substitution in its para position. In the absence of such an activation, a number
of alternative processes can occur, namely the acid-catalyzed dehydration to anthracene derivatives with
(R * H) or without (R ) H) rearrangement or a disproportionation reaction of the secondary alcohol to
the corresponding ketone and hydrocarbon.
Introduction
pramolecular chemistry and materials science.6,8,14-18 However,
there are only few examples of homotriptycenes which have
been reported. Cristol and co-workers19 synthesized homotrip-
tycene and its derivatives by ring enlargement of 1-amino-
methyltriptycene, but the route was lengthy and required a
tedious separation from the concomitant isomers. Szeimies et
al.20 reported a unique route for the preparation of homotrip-
tycenes using a thermal dehydrogenation of anellated dibenzo-
homobarrelene, but its application is limited because of the
Triptycene and its derivatives attract great attention because
of their rigid, aromatic 3D structure,1-5 their unique electro-
chemical and photochemical properties,6-10 their potential
pharmaceutical properties,11-13 and their applications in su-
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: (+86) 20 85232903.
Tel: (+86) 2085231666.
† Chinese Academy of Sciences.
‡ Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
§ South China University of Technology.
| University of Mainz. Fax: (+49) 6131 3925396. Tel: (+49) 6131 3922605.
E-mail: hmeier@mail.uni-mainz.de.
(11) Xanthopoulou, N. J.; Kourounakis, A. P.; Spyroudis, S.; Kour-
ounakis, P. N. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2003, 38, 621.
(12) Perchellet, E. M.; Sperfslage, B. J.; Wang, Y.; Huang, X.; Tamura,
M.; Hua, D. H.; Perchellet, J. P. Anti-Cancer Drugs 2002, 13, 567.
(13) Yang, W.; Perchellet, E. M.; Tamura, M.; Hua, D. H.; Perchellet,
J. P. Cancer Lett. 2002, 188, 73.
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105, 1281.
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M. A. J. Org. Chem. 2004, 69, 1652.
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(5) Wiehe, A.; Senge, M.; Scha¨fer, O. A.; Speck, M.; Tannert, S.; Kurreck
H.; Ro¨der, B. Tetrahedron 2001, 57, 10089.
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44, 7613.
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10253.
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246, 363.
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(19) Cristol, S. J.; Pennelle, D. K. J. Org. Chem. 1970, 35, 2357.
(20) Baumgart, K. D.; Harnish, H.; Seebach, U. S.; Szeimies, G. Chem.
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10.1021/jo0526791 CCC: $33.50 © 2006 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 03/24/2006
J. Org. Chem. 2006, 71, 3071-3076
3071

Gao et al.
SCHEME 1. Preparation of the Anthracenol Derivatives 5a-d and 8e-k
multistep preparation of the starting propellane and the restricted
possibility for substituent variations in the homotriptycene
skeleton. Saito et al.21 reported an alternative method using the
cycloaddition of strained benzocyclopropene to anthracenes. We
found now a simple novel route for the synthesis of homotrip-
tycenes on the basis of anthracenol derivatives.22
pounds for the attempted preparation of homotriptycenes.
9-Anthracenol is a tautomeric system which exists predomi-
nantly in the more stable 9(10H)-anthracenone form (1 h 1’).
The high electrophilicity in the 10-position enables the attack
of benzaldehydes as well as benzyl halides. A mixture of 1 and
2a-d in pyridine/piperidine yielded the 10-benzylidene-9(10H)-
anthracenones 3a-d.23,24 Hydrogenation of 3a-d on 5%
palladium-on-carbon afforded 4a-d,23 and subsequent hydro-
Results and Discussion
Scheme 1 summarizes the preparation of the trans-10-benzyl-
9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols 5a-d and the 10,10-dibenzyl-9,10-
dihydroanthracen-9-ols 8e-k which were used as key com-
(21) Saito, K.; Ito, K.; Takahashi, K.; Kagabu, S. Org. Prep. Proc. Int.
1991, 23, 196.
(22) Cao, D.; Gao, C.; Meier, H. Synlett 2005, 20, 3166.
3072 J. Org. Chem., Vol. 71, No. 8, 2006

Acid-Catalyzed Cyclization of Anthracenol DeriVatiVes to Homotriptycenes
SCHEME 2. Acid-Catalyzed Reactions of the
10-Benzyl-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols 5a-d and 8e-k
genation of the carbonyl group with NaBH4 in diglyme gave
5a-d. The trans configuration of 5a-d was established by
NOESY measurements. The proton 9-H shows a cross-peak to
the enantiotopic protons of the benzylic CH2 group, but not to
the proton 10-H. 9,10-Dihydroanthracene derivatives exist in a
boat conformation in which larger substituents such as benzyl
groups are in a pseudoaxial position.25 We explain the diaste-
reoselective generation of the trans-configured compounds
5a-d by a transition state in which H- approaches from the
less hindered “inner” side of the boat. The benzene rings
condensed on the central ring shield the carbonyl face on the
“inner” side of the boat conformation.
Reaction of 1 with the benzyl chlorides 6e-h,k gave the
10,10-dibenzyl-9(10H)-anthracenons 7e-h,k. The related com-
pounds 7i,j were obtained from 4a by the reaction with 6i,j.
The latter method had the advantage that different benzyl
substituents could be introduced in the 10-position of 1.
Compounds 7e-k were then reduced to the 10,10-dibenzyl-
9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols 8e-k by the reaction with NaBH4
in diglyme. The attack of H- did not exhibit a diastereoselec-
tivity for the reactions 7i f 8i and 7j f 8j which have different
benzyl groups.
The 11 secondary alcohols 5a-d and 8e-k were subjected
to the acid-catalyzed dehydration by applying acids, such as
formic acid, oxalic acid, and acetic acid. The monobenzyl
systems 5a,b yielded homotriptycenes (9a,b) and anthracenes
(10a,b), whereas 5c,d gave quantitatively 10c,d. Apparently,
the OCH3 substituents on the benzyl group affected the
competition of 1,4- and 1,7-elimination of H2O. We assume
that protonation generates a secondary, resonance-stabilized
carbenium ion (center on C-9), which forms 10a-d by
deprotonation on C-9. However, when the benzyl group on C-10
has a suitably activated position by an electron-donating group,
an intramolecular aromatic electrophilic substitution can com-
pete. The (transannular) 1,7-elimination of H2O generates then
a homotriptycene (pentacyclo[7.6.6.0.2,70.10,150.16,21]heneicosa-
2,4,6,10,12,14,16,18,20-nonaene).
Treatment of the 10,10-dibenzyl-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols
8e-g,i,j with formic acid led in all cases to the quantitative
formation of the corresponding homotriptycenes (9e-g,i,j). The
reactions 8g f 9g and 8i f 9i deserve special interest.
Compound 8g contains two 3-methoxybenzyl groups. The
electron-releasing OCH3 substituent could activate its para and/
or ortho position for the electrophilic attack. The obtained
product 9g reveals the regioselective ring closure in the para
position. Compound 8i contains a 3-methoxybenzyl and a 3,5-
dimethoxybenzyl group. Altogether, three homotriptycenes are
conceivable, but only 9i was obtained. That means the electron
richer 3,5-dimethoxybenzene ring reacts exclusively. Accord-
ingly, the unsubstituted benzyl group of 8j is not involved in
the ring closure 8j f 9j.
Compounds 8h and 8k do not contain in the benzyl groups
an activated position which is suitable for the ring closure to a
homotriptycene. 1,4-Elimination of 8h with 4-methoxybenzyl
is a minor process (8h f 10h); the major route is due to the
rearrangement to 9,10-bis(4-methoxybenzyl)anthracene (8h f
11h). Compound 8k did not show any of the reactions
TABLE 1. Product Distribution of the Acid-catalyzed Dehydration
of 5a in CH2Cl2 at Ambient Temperature
product
molar ratio
5a/HCOOH
reaction
time (h)
conversion
(%)
distributiona
9a/10a
entry
1
2
3
4
5
1/56
1/12
1/2
0.5
0.5
2.0
2.0
36.0
100
100
100
100
53
96:4
92:8
67:33
64:36
55:45
3/2
trace of DClb
a Determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy (a) in 0.5 mL of CDCl3 and (b)
in 0.5 mL of CDCl3.
mentioned above. It undergoes in the presence of formic acid a
slow disproportionation to ketone 7k and 9,10-dihydro-
anthracene 12k (Scheme 2).
Interestingly, the ratio 9/10 depends strongly on the acid
concentration. Table 1 shows the results obtained for 5a and
decreasing amounts of HCOOH.
Anthracene 10a is a minor side product when a high excess
of HCOOH was used. Traces of DCl in CDCl3, on the other
hand, led to a mixture of 9a and 10a, which is close to 1:1.
The higher the excess of acid is, the faster the 1,7-elimination;
the elimination seems to be not or much less affected by the
acid concentration.
(23) Prinz, H.; Ishii, Y.; Hirano, T.; Stoiber, T.; Camacho Gomez, J. A.;
Schmidt, P.; Duessmann, H.; Burger, A. M.; Prehn, J. H. M.; Gunther, E.
G.; Unger, E.; Umezawa, K. J. Med. Chem. 2003, 46, 3382.
(24) Hu, W. X.; Zhou, W. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2004, 14, 621.
(25) Miller, B.; Marhevka, V. C. Tetrahedron Lett. 1981, 22, 895.
J. Org. Chem, Vol. 71, No. 8, 2006 3073

Gao et al.
1
TABLE 2. Selected H and 13C NMR Data of 5a-d and 8e-k (δ Values in CDCl3, TMS as Internal Standard)
9-H
d
10-H
t
R-CH2
d/s
R-CH2
d/s
OH
d
compd
C-9
C-10
5a-d
4.77-5.03
66.7-66.9
4.22-4.28
47.9-48.5
2.88-2.94
3J ) 6.3 Hz
3.40-3.47
3.61-3.74
44.8-46.2
1.95-2.03
3J ) 10.8 Hz
4.96-5.01
3J ) 6.3 Hz
3J ) 10.8 Hz
-0.14-0.32
3J ) 11.6 Hz
8e-k
67.3-67.6
49.0-49.4
47.5-48.5
51.2-52.7
3J ) 11.6 Hz
1
TABLE 3. Selected H and 13C NMR Data of the Homotriptycenes
SCHEME 3. Initial Formation of the Carbocations 13 by
Protonation of 5a-d and 8e-k
9a,b,e-g,i,j (δ Values in CDCl3, TMS as Internal Standard)
1-H
s
9-H
t
compd
C-1
C-9
CH2 d/s
CH2 d/s
9a
9b
9e
41.9
43.4
44.7
5.69
5.55
5.84
45.6
45.6
46.9
4.19
4.21
37.4
36.9
40.1
42.6
43.7
46.2
46.8
54.1
42.4
46.9
42.3
47.0
3.21
3.20
3.03
3.90
3.05
3.92
3.09
3.98
3.05
3.95
3.07
3.98
9f
9g
9i
39.9
40.0
40.0
39.9
5.63
4.85
5.75
5.77
44.8
44.7
44.7
44.6
The molecule has in the crystalline state (as well as in
solution) a de facto Cs symmetry.
9j
Conclusions
With the exception of 8k, all acid-catalyzed reactions of the
10-benzyl- and 10,10-dibenzyl-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols 5
and 8 can be rationalized by the initial formation of resonance-
stabilized carbenium ions 13 (Scheme 3).
The desired transannular ring closure of 13 to homotrip-
tycenes requires a high nucleophilicity in position 2 of the
substituted benzene ring. This can be effected by an electron-
donating group such as methoxy in 5-position. In the absence
of such an activating group 13 can eliminate a proton (R ) H)
or a benzyl group (R ) 4-H3COC6H4CH2) and form a
monosubstituted anthracene 10a-d,h. Rearrangement and cleav-
age of the proton in 9-position of 13 yields the 9,10-disubstituted
anthracene 11h. Formally, the acid-catalyzed reactions 5,8 f
9 correspond to 1,7-eliminations, the process 5,8 f 10 to 1,4-
eliminations, and the reaction 8 f 11 to a 1,1-elimination, which
includes a rearrangement.
The disproportionation of the secondary alcohol 8k to ketone
7k and hydrocarbon 12k is in the absence of a hydrogen-transfer
catalyst a rather unusual process.26 The related diphenylmethanol
(benzhydrol) shows such a reaction in the presence of Raney
nickel27 or Pd/C.28 Since much more benzophenone than
diphenylmethane is formed in these cases, such reactions are
not real disproportionations. A 1:1 mixture of benzophenone
and diphenylmethane was obtained from benzhydrol under
drastic conditions in supercritical water.29
FIGURE 1. Crystal structure analysis (ORTEP plot) of homotriptycene
9a, a bicyclo[3.2.2.]nona-2,6,8-triene scaffold condensed with three
benzene rings (A-C).
The most useful preparative process, described here, is
certainly the facile formation of homotriptycenes. This tran-
sannular ring closure is related to a reaction that was found in
an addition product of anthranol with lignin model quinone
methides.30,31
The spectroscopic identification and characterization of the
anthracene derivatives 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10-12 can be seen in the
1
Experimental Section. Selected H and 13C NMR data of the
compounds 5a-d and 8e-k and the homotriptycenes 9a,b,e-
g,i,j are listed in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. An ORTEP plot
of a crystal structure analysis of 9a is depicted in Figure 1. The
bond lengths and bond angles are in the expected range. The
most interesting feature of the X-ray study concerns the angles
R between the three benzene ring planes: R(A,B) ) 110.14°;
R(B,C) ) 109.08°; R(C,A) ) 110.57°.
(26) See also Bhattacharya, A. K.; Miller, B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1983,
105, 5, 3242.
(27) Krafft, M. E.; Zorc, B. J. Org. Chem. 1986, 51, 5482.
(28) Hayashi, M.; Yamada, K.; Nakayama, S. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin
Trans. 1 2000, 1501.
(29) Hatano, B.; Kadokawa, J.; Tagaya, H. Tetrahedron Lett. 2002, 43,
5859.
(30) Landucci, L. L.; Ralph, J. J. Org. Chem. 1982, 47, 3486.
(31) Ralph, J.; Landucci, L. L. J. Org. Chem. 1983, 48, 372.
3074 J. Org. Chem., Vol. 71, No. 8, 2006

Acid-Catalyzed Cyclization of Anthracenol DeriVatiVes to Homotriptycenes
10-(3,5-Dimethoxybenzyl)-10-(3-methoxybenzyl)-9(10H)-an-
Experimental Section
thracenone (7i): yield 357 mg, 77%; colorless crystals; mp 138-
139 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.31 (s, 6H), 3.32 (s, 3H),
3.65 (s, 2H), 3.68 (s, 2H), 5.45 (m, 2H), 5.79 (m, 1H), 5.92 (m,
1H), 5.97 (m, 1H), 6.42 (m, 1H), 6.67 (m, 1H), 7.38 (m, 2H), 7.73
(m, 2H), 7.96 (m, 2H), 8.10 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 48.8, 50.1, 50.3, 54.7, 54.8, 99.1, 107.5, 112.5, 114.5, 122.1,
126.9, 127.4, 127.4, 128.2, 132.8, 132.8, 137.4, 138.2, 145.7, 158.5,
159.6, 182.9; MS (EI) m/z 464 (M+, 40.8), 313 (100.0). Anal. Calcd
for C31H28O4 (464.55): C, 80.15; H, 6.08. Found: C, 79.88; H,
6.02.
General Procedure for the Preparation of the 10,10-Dibenzyl-
9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols 8e-k. Compound 7 (1.0 mmol) in
diglyme (4 mL) was stirred under nitrogen for 15 min before NaBH4
(120 mg, 3.1 mmol) was added. After 30 min (the compounds 8f
and 8k were hardly soluble in diglyme and needed about 4 h),
methanol (2 mL) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred for
another 10 min, and then a second portion of NaBH4 (60 mg, 1.5
mmol) was added. After 4 h, water was slowly added with rapid
stirring in an ice-water bath. Colorless solid/crystals were obtained
by filtration.
General Procedure for the Preparation of the 9(10H)-
Anthracenones 4a-d. A mixture of 3a-d (3.0 mmol) and 5%
palladium-on-carbon (1.14 g) in ethyl acetate/methanol (3:1, 72 mL)
was treated overnight with hydrogen at ambient temperature. The
catalyst was removed by filtration through silica gel under nitrogen.
The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue
recrystallized from ethanol.
10-(3,5-Dimethoxybenzyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone (4a): yield
877 mg, 85%, lit.23 36%; colorless crystals; mp 98-99 °C, lit.23
1
3
mp 99 °C; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.07 (d, J ) 6.0 Hz,
2H), 3.49 (s, 6H), 4.51 (t, 3J ) 6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.54 (d, 4J ) 1.8 Hz,
4
2H), 6.18 (t, J ) 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (m, 2H), 7.40 (m, 2H), 7.54
(m, 2H), 8.16 (m, 2H).
General Procedure for the Preparation of the 10-Benzyl-9,10-
dihydroanthracen-9-ols 5a-d. A solution of 4 (1.0 mmol) in
diglyme (4 mL) was stirred under nitrogen for 15 min. NaBH4 (120
mg, 3.1 mmol) was added. After 30 min, methanol (2 mL) was
added dropwise. The mixture was stirred for another 10 min, and
then NaBH4 (60 mg, 1.5 mmol) was added. After 3-4 h, water
was slowly added with rapid stirring in an ice-water bath. Colorless
crystals were obtained by filtration.
10,10-Bis[3,5-bis(benzyloxy)benzyl]-9,10-dihydroanthracen-
1
9-ol (8e): yield 753 mg, 94%; colorless solid; mp 43-45 °C; H
3
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.32 (d, J ) 11.6 Hz, 1H), 3.40 (s,
trans-10-(3,5-Dimethoxybenzyl)-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ol
(5a): yield 315 mg, 91%; colorless crystals; mp 96-97 °C; 1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.97 (d, 3J ) 10.8 Hz, 1H), 2.87 (d, 3J ) 6.4
Hz, 2H), 3.53 (s, 6H), 4.25 (t, 3J ) 6.4 Hz, 1H), 5.03 (d, 3J ) 10.8
3
2H), 3.61 (s, 2H), 4.50 (s, 4H), 4.52 (s, 4H), 5.01 (d, J ) 11.6
4
4
Hz, 1H), 5.50 (d, J ) 2.2 Hz, 2H), 5.71 (d, J ) 2.2 Hz, 2H),
6.14 (t, 4J ) 2.2 Hz, 1H), 6.19 (t, 4J ) 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.19-7.39 (m,
26H), 7.77 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 48.5, 49.0,
52.4, 67.5, 69.6, 69.8, 100.7, 101.1, 109.0, 109.1, 126.7, 126.9,
127.3, 127.3, 127.7, 127.8, 127.9, 128.4, 129.8, 129.8, 136.9, 137.0,
137.9, 138.4, 139.3, 139.5, 158.7, 158.7; MS (FAB) m/z 801 (M+,
0.4), 154 (100.0). Anal. Calcd for C56H48O5 (800.98): C, 83.97;
H, 6.04. Found: C, 83.89; H, 5.97.
3
Hz, 1H), 5.69 (d, J ) 1.0 Hz, 2H), 6.23 (“s”, 1H), 7.16 (m, 2H),
7.24 (m, 2H), 7.30 (m, 2H), 7.71 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 45.9, 48.2, 55.1, 66.9, 99.0, 107.5, 124.6, 126.5, 127.1,
127.7, 137.0, 140.0, 140.3, 160.0; MS (EI) m/z 328 (M+ - 18,
100.0). Anal. Calcd for C23H22O3 (346.42): C, 79.74; H, 6.40.
Found: C, 79.80; H, 6.38.
General Procedure for the Preparation of the Homotrip-
tycenes 9a,b. Method A. Compound 5a,b (0.1 mmol) was
dissolved in dichloromethane (1 mL), and then formic acid (290
mg, 88%, 5.6 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 30
min and then the solvent was evaporated to give 9a,b. Further
purification of 9a,b by column chromatography (30 × 3 cm SiO2,
ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (bp 40-70 °C) 1/30) afforded white
crystals.
Method B. Compound 5a,b (0.1 mmol) was dissolved in diglyme
(1 mL), and then H2C2O4‚2H2O (705 mg, 5.6 mmol) was added.
The mixture was stirred for 30 min, and water was slowly added
with rapid stirring in an ice-water bath. Filtration and column
chromatography afforded white crystals 5a,b.
General Procedure for the Preparation of the 10,10-Dibenzyl-
9(10H)-anthracenones 7e-h,k. A mixture of 1 (394 mg, 1.0
mmol), the corresponding benzyl chloride 6 (2.0 mmol), potassium
hydroxide (143 mg, 2.1 mmol), 18-crown-6 (20 mg, 0.07 mmol),
and potassium iodide (25 mg, 0.15 mmol) in dry acetone (8 mL)
was heated at 60 °C and stirred vigorously under nitrogen for 1.5-2
h. The volatile parts were removed under reduced pressure and the
residue treated with 10 mL of CH2Cl2 and 10 mL of H2O. The
separated water layer was extracted three times with CH2Cl2 (3 ×
10 mL). The combined organic phases were dried with Na2SO4
and the products purified by column chromatography (40 × 3 cm
SiO2, petroleum ether (bp 40-70 °C)/ethyl acetate).
10,10-Bis(3,5-dibenzyloxybenzyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone (7e).
Chromatography with the eluent of petroleum ether (bp 40-70 °C)/
ethyl acetate 10:1): yield 520 mg, 65%; colorless crystals; mp 148-
149 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.62 (s, 4H), 4.49 (s, 8H),
5.55 (d, 4J ) 2.2 Hz, 4H), 6.14 (t, 4J ) 2.2 Hz, 2H), 7.18-7.33(m,
Method C. Compound 5a,b (0.1 mmol) was dissolved in
dichloromethane (1 mL), and then acetic acid (336 mg, 5.6 mmol)
was added. The mixture was stirred for 30 min, and then the solvent
was evaporated to give 9a,b, which was purified by column
chromatography.
20H), 7.38 (m, 2H), 7.69 (m, 2H), 7.92 (m, 2H), 8.16 (m, 2H); 13
C
3,5-Dimethoxypentacyclo[7.6.6.0.2,70.10,150.16,21]heneicosa-
2,4,6,10,12,14,16,18,20-nonaene (9a): yield (method A) 96%
(determined by 1H NMR); isolated yield 30 mg, 91%; yield (method
B) 92% (determined by 1H NMR); isolated yield 87%; yield
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 48.9, 50.3, 69.7, 101.0, 108.8, 126.9,
127.3, 127.5, 127.5, 127.8, 128.4, 132.9, 132.9, 136.9, 138.2, 145.7,
158.9, 182.9; MS (FAB) m/z 799 (M+, 6.0), 154 (100.0). Anal.
Calcd for C56H46O5 (798.96): C, 84.18; H, 5.80. Found: C, 83.85;
H, 5.80.
General Procedure for the Preparation of the 10,10-Dibenzyl-
9(10H)-anthracenones 7i,j. A mixture of 4a (346 mg, 1.0 mmol),
the corresponding benzyl chloride 6 (1.0 mmol), potassium
hydroxide (68 mg, 1.0 mmol), 18-crown-6 (25 mg, 0.09 mmol),
potassium iodide (50 mg, 0.30 mmol), and acetone (8 mL) was
stirred vigorously for 1.5-2 h at 60 °C under nitrogen. The volatile
parts were removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was
treated with 10 mL of CH2Cl2 and 10 mL of H2O. The separated
water layer was extracted three times with 10 mL of CH2Cl2 each.
The combined organic phases were dried with Na2SO4 and the
products purified by column chromatography (40 × 2 cm SiO2,
petroleum ether (bp 40-70 °C)/ethyl acetate 20:1).
1
(method C) 92% (determined by H NMR); isolated yield 87%;
1
colorless crystals; mp 163-165 °C; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 3.21 (d, 3J ) 3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 4.19 (t, 3J
) 3.6 Hz, 1H), 5.69 (s, 1H), 6.00 (d, 4J ) 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.22 (d, 4J
) 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.09-7.14 (m, 4H), 7.31-7.35 (m, 4H); 13C NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 37.4, 41.9, 45.6, 55.1, 56.1, 96.6, 107.5, 123.0,
125.1, 125.6, 126.2, 126.2, 136.6, 141.4, 144.7, 156.4, 158.5; MS
(FD) m/z 328 (M+, 100.0). Anal. Calcd for C23H20O2 (328): C,
84.12; H, 6.14. Found: C, 84.15; H, 6.17.
3,4,5-Trimethoxypentacyclo[7.6.6.0.2,70.10,150.16,21]heneicosa-
2,4,6,10,12,14,16,18,20-nonaene (9b): yield 96% (determined by
1H NMR); isolated yield 33 mg, 91%; colorless crystals; mp 173-
174 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.20 (d, 3J ) 3.8 Hz, 2H),
3
3.67 (s, 3H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 4.02 (s, 3H), 4.21 (t, J ) 3.8 Hz, 1H),
J. Org. Chem, Vol. 71, No. 8, 2006 3075

Gao et al.
5.55 (s, 1H), 6.18 (s, 1H), 7.10-7.16 (m, 4H), 7.32-7.36 (m, 4H);
13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 36.9, 43.4, 45.6, 55.8, 60.8, 61.5,
110.9, 125.2, 125.8, 126.4, 126.4, 127.8, 130.0, 140.2, 141.3, 144.4,
149.7, 151.8; MS (EI) m/z 358 (M+, 100.0). Anal. Calcd for
C24H22O3 (358.43): C, 80.42; H, 6.19. Found: C, 80.45; H, 6.16.
General Procedure for the Preparation of the Homotrip-
tycenes 9e-g,i,j. To a solution of 8e-g,i,j (0.5 mmol) in 5 mL of
dichloromethane was added formic acid (100 mg, 1.9 mmol). The
mixture was stirred for 10 min. Colorless crystals/solid were
obtained after evaporation of the solvent. The reaction was
quantitative, and the isolated yield was about 100%.
126.0, 126.3, 128.5, 137.2, 139.2, 140.4, 143.7, 156.1, 158.5, 158.9
(one signal hidden by superposition); MS (EI) m/z 448 (M+, 100.0).
Anal. Calcd for C31H28O3 (448.55): C, 83.01; H, 6.29. Found: C,
82.76; H, 6.40.
9-Benzyl-3,5-dimethoxypentacyclo[7.6.6.0.2,70.10,150.16,21]-
heneicosa-2,4,6,10,12,14,16,18,20-nonaene (9j): yield 209 mg,
1
100%; colorless crystals; mp 213-214 °C; H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 3.07 (s, 2H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.98 (s, 2H),
5.77 (s, 1H), 5.96 (d, 4J ) 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.22 (d, 4J ) 2.4 Hz, 1H),
6.90 (m, 2H), 6.99-7.18 (m, 9H), 7.36 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100
MHz, CDCl3) δ 39.9, 42.3, 44.6, 47.0, 55.1, 56.1, 96.5, 107.1, 122.8,
125.2, 125.3, 126.0, 126.3, 127.6, 130.2, 137.2, 137.5, 140.4, 143.7,
156.0, 158.5 (one signal hidden by superposition); MS (FAB) m/z
418 (M+, 18.9), 154 (100.0). Anal. Calcd for C30H26O2 (418.53):
C, 86.09; H, 6.26. Found: C, 85.69; H, 6.02.
Acid-Catalyzed Reaction of 8h. To a solution of 8h (44 mg,
0.1 mmol) in 2 mL of dichloromethane was added formic acid (45
mg, 0.86 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 10 min and then
evaporated. The products were purified by column chromatography
(20 × 2 cm SiO2, ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (bp 40-70 °C)
1/50). Light yellow crystals of 11h (36 mg) were obtained in 86%
yield, and light yellow crystals 10c (4 mg) were obtained in 14%
yield, respectively.
Acid-Catalyzed Reaction of 8k. Method A. To a solution of
8k (120 mg, 0.32 mmol) in dichloromethane (5 mL) was added
formic acid (1200 mg, 23 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 1.5
h and then the solvent evaporated. The products were purified by
column chromatography (20 × 2 cm SiO2, ethyl acetate/petroleum
ether (bp 40-70 °C) 1/50). Colorless crystals 12k (60 mg) were
obtained in 52% yield and colorless crystals 7k (52 mg) in 44%
yield.
3,5-Bis(benzyloxy)-9-[3,5-bis(benzyloxy)benzyl]pentacyclo-
[7.6.6.0.2,70.10,150.16,21]heneicosa-2,4,6,10,12,14,16,18,20-nona-
ene (9e): yield 392 mg, 100%; colorless crystals; mp 197-198
°C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.03 (s, 2H), 3.90 (s, 2H), 4.65
4
(s, 4H), 4.83 (s, 2H), 5.11 (s, 2H), 5.84 (s, 1H), 6.04 (d, J ) 2.4
4
Hz, 1H), 6.17 (d, J ) 2.0 Hz, 2H), 6.34 (m, 2H), 7.00 (m, 2H),
7.08 (m, 2H), 7.16-7.40 (m, 20H), 7.47 (m, 2H), 7.57 (m, 2H);
13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 40.1, 42.6, 44.7, 46.9, 69.8, 70.0,
70.7, 98.6, 99.7, 108.6, 109.6, 123.4, 125.3, 125.3, 126.0, 126.4,
127.2, 127.4, 127.4, 127.8, 127.9, 128.4, 128.5, 128.7, 136.9, 137.0,
137.3, 137.4, 140.1, 140.4, 143.5, 155.0, 157.7, 159.2 (one signal
hidden by superposition); MS (FAB) m/z 783 (M+, 9.8), 154
(100.0). Anal. Calcd for C56H46O4 (782.96): C, 85.90; H, 5.92.
Found: C, 85.64; H, 6.04.
3,4,5-Trimethoxy-9-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)pentacyclo-
[7.6.6.0.2,70.10,150.16,21]heneicosa-2,4,6,10, 12,14,16,18,20-nonaene
(9f): yield 269 mg, 100%; colorless crystals; mp 232 °C; 1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.05 (s, 2H), 3.39 (s, 6H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 3.75
(s, 3H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.92 (s, 2H), 4.03 (s, 3H), 5.63 (s, 1H), 6.06
(s, 2H), 6.14 (s, 1H), 7.05 (m, 2H), 7.11 (m, 2H), 7.22 (m, 2H),
7.36 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 39.9, 43.7, 44.8,
46.2, 55.6, 55.8, 60.8, 60.8, 61.5, 107.7, 110.5, 125.2, 125.6, 126.1,
126.5, 127.6, 130.4, 132.8, 135.5, 140.2, 140.4, 143.3, 149.4, 151.7,
152.3; MS (FAB) m/z 538 (M+, 9.4), 154 (100.0). Anal. Calcd for
C34H34O6 (538.63): C, 75.82; H, 6.36. Found: C, 75.70; H, 6.12.
5-Methoxy-9-(3-methoxybenzyl)pentacyclo[7.6.6.0.2,70.10,150.16,21]-
heneicosa-2,4,6,10,12,14,16,18, 20-nonaene (9g): yield 209 mg,
100%; colorless solid; mp 109-110 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 3.09 (s, 2H), 3.53 (s, 3H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 3.98 (s, 2H),
4.85 (s, 1H), 6.37 (m, 1H), 6.40 (m, 1H), 6.49 (m, 1H), 6.55-6.60
(m, 2H), 6.94 (m, 1H), 7.02 (m, 2H), 7.11 (m, 2H), 7.19-7.24 (m,
3H), 7.33 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 40.0, 44.7, 46.8,
54.1, 54.9, 55.1, 110.7, 111.4, 116.0, 116.9, 122.8, 124.9, 125.5,
126.2, 126.5, 127.6, 128.5, 133.6, 136.0, 139.1, 139.6, 143.3, 158.4,
158.9; MS (EI) m/z 418 (M+, 100.0). Anal. Calcd for C30H26O2
(418.53): C, 86.09; H, 6.26. Found: C, 86.54; H, 6.37.
Method B. The mixture of 8k (120 mg, 0.32 mmol), dichlo-
romethane (5 mL), and p-tolylsulfonic acid (6 mg, 0.032 mmol)
was stirred for 30 min and then the solvent evaporated. The ratio
1
of 7k/12k was 50/50 (determined by H NMR). Chromatography
gave 12k (55 mg, 48%) and 7k (57 mg, 48%).
Method C. To a solution of 8k (120 mg, 0.32 mmol) in
dichloromethane (5 mL) was added trifluoroacetic acid (24 mg,
0.21 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 30 min and then the solvent
evaporated. The products were purified by column chromatography
to give 12k (53 mg, 46%) and 7k (54 mg, 45%).
Method D. A solution of 8k (120 mg, 0.32 mmol), dichlo-
romethane (5 mL), and acetic acid (3.4 g, 56 mmol) was stirred
for 2 weeks at room temperature; almost no reaction occurred.
Acknowledgment. This work was supported by the National
Natural Science Foundation of China (20272059; 20572111),
the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation of China (04002263),
and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
3,5-Dimethoxy-9-(3-methoxybenzyl)pentacyclo-
[7.6.6.0.2,70.10,150.16,21]heneicosa-2,4,6,10,12,14,16,18,20-nonaene
(9i): yield 224 mg, 100%; colorless crystals; mp 245-246 °C; 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.05 (s, 2H), 3.54 (s, 3H), 3.62 (s,
3H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.95 (s, 2H), 5.75 (s, 1H), 5.95 (d, 4J ) 2.3 Hz,
Supporting Information Available: Preparation and charac-
terization of compounds 4b-d, 5b-d, 7f-h, 7j,k, 8f-k, 10a-d,
11h, 12k; X-ray experimental procedure for 9a; spectra of 1H and
13C NMR. This material is available free of charge via the Internet
at http://pubs.acs.org.
4
1H), 6.21 (d, J ) 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.41 (m, 1H), 6.52 (m, 1H), 6.59
(m, 1H), 6.94 (m, 1H), 6.99 (m, 2H), 7.08 (m, 2H), 7.18 (m, 2H),
7.34 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 40.0, 42.4, 44.7,
46.9, 54.9, 55.1, 56.1, 96.6, 107.1, 110.6, 116.0, 122.9, 125.2, 125.3,
JO0526791
3076 J. Org. Chem., Vol. 71, No. 8, 2006