The synthesis of the polyaromatic aldehyde 1-hydroxybenz [a] anthracene-2- carboxaldehyde is reported via a seven step protocol from 9, 10-dihydroanthracene, with an overall yield of 30%. Two equivalents of the aldehyde are condensed with (R)-1, 1′- binaphthyl-2, 2′-diamine to produce a new binaphthyl-salen ligand, which is subsequently complexed to iron (II) and zinc (II) ions. The ligand and complexes are characterized by ...