The synthesis of 7-(2-bromophenyl)-perinaphthenone (VIII) and 2-bromophenyl-2-naphthyl ketone (IV) is described. Treatment of the cis-methyl-β-(2-bromophenyl)-β-(1-naphthyl)- acrylate (VIb) by lithium aluminium hydride under mild conditions unexpectedly led to methyl- β-phenyl-β-(1-naphthyl)-ethylene (XII) by the simultaneous reduction of the nuclear bromine and hydrogenolysis of the oxygen function.
