Synthesis of 9,10‐Bis(organochalcogenyl)phenanthrenes by Cyclization of (Biphenyl‐2‐alkyne)chalcogenides

A regioselective, operationally simple and scalable protocol was developed for the synthesis of 9,10‐bis(organochalcogenyl)phenanthrenes and seleno‐spiro[cyclohexane‐1,1′‐indene]‐2,5‐dien‐4‐ones through the cyclization of (biphenyl‐2‐alkyne)chalcogenides. The reaction occurs in the presence of diorganyl diselenides, Oxone® as a green oxidizing agent, and acetonitrile at 80 °C. In this study, 20 compounds were obtained in yields of up to 97 % and in short reaction times (1–4 h).