Cyclophanes. VI. The synthesis of [2,2](3,3')biphenylparacyclophanedienes

Abstract

The preparations of [2,2](3,3')biphenylparacyclophane-1,9-dine (19) and a dimethyl derivative (20) synthesized by a ring-contraction procedure of the corresponding dithiacyclophanes (11) and (12) are reported. Both dienes (19) and (20) photocyclized under oxidative conditions to the benzo[ ghi ]- perylenes (21) and (22). Difficulties associated with the Stevens rearrangement in cyclophanes containing a para-disubstituted benzene moiety have been rationalized in terms of a competing ring- opening reaction. Several other reactions of the biphenylparacylophane ring system are reported, and the stereochemistry of the macrocycle is discussed.