Flexible and practical synthesis of anthracenes through gold-catalyzed cyclization of o-alkynyldiarylmethanes.

A concise gold-catalyzed method for the preparation of anthracenes from o-alkynyldiarylmethanes has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, versatile anthracene derivatives were formed in moderate to good yields. The high flexibility, broad substrate scope, and mild nature of this reaction render it a viable alternative for the synthesis of anthracenes.