Bismuth-catalyzed synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with a phenanthrene backbone via cyclization and aromatization of 2-(2-arylphenyl)vinyl ethers.

The reaction of 2-(2-arylphenyl)vinyl ethers in the presence of a catalytic amount of bismuth(III) triflate gave substituted phenanthrenes in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. The reaction was also applied to the construction of other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as chrysene, helicene, and pyrene having a phenanthrene backbone, via regioselective cyclization. This method has the advantages of easy availability of the cyclization precursors, operational simplicity, and high reaction efficiency.