Synthèses dans le domaine des hydrocarbures cancérigènes. IV Le 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐Tétrabenzanthracène

Summary. ‐ The unknown heptacyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐tetrabenzanthracene (V) has been synthesized by the Elb's pyrolysis of 9‐(10'‐methyl‐9'‐phenanthroyl‐)phenanthrene (IV). This ketone was prepared by a Grignard reaction between 9‐cyanophenanthrene and 10‐methyl‐9‐phenanthroyl‐magnesium‐bromide. The action of N‐bromosuccinimide upon 9‐methylphenanthrene affords either 9‐bromo‐10‐methyl‐or 9‐bromomethyl‐phenanthrene according to the experimental conditions used. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐tetrabenzanthracene has been oxidized to the corresponding quinone (VI). Attempts to prepare 9,10‐dimethyl‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐tetrabenzanthracene from the above quinone have so far failed.