"Phenalenannulations: Three-Point Double Annulation Reactions that Convert Benzenes into Pyrenes".

"3-Point annulations", or ''phenalenannulations" transform a benzene ring directly into a substituted pyrene by "wrapping" two new cycles around the perimeter of the central ring at three consecutive carbon atoms. This efficient, modular, and general method for p-extension opens access to non- symmetric pyrenes and their expanded analogues. Potentially, this approach can convert any aromatic ring bearing a -CH 2 Br or a -CHO group into a pyrene moiety.  Depending upon the workup choices, the process can be directed towards either tin- or iodo-substituted product formation, giving complementary choices for further various cross-coupling reactions. The two-directional bis-double annulation adds two new polyaromatic extensions with a total of six new aromatic rings at a central core.