A Convenient Synthesis of New Macrocyclic Naphthalenophanes

The (1,4)naphthalenophanes 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b were synthesized regiospecifically in two steps from the appropriate α,β‐di‐1‐naphthylalkanes by a Friedel‐Crafts acetylation of the two naphthalene groups followed by cyclization/dimerization of the resulting diketones by a McMurray reaction. The macrocyclic naphthalenophanes 6a and 6b exist in solution as a mixture of conformers while 7a and 7b were identified as the anti isomers.