cis-9, 1O-Dialkyl-9, lO-dihydroanthracenes are synthesized stereospecifically by addition of an alkyllithium reagent to anthracene in tetrahydrofuran and alkylation with an alkyl halide (method A) or alkylation of 9, lO-dihydroanthracene with n-butyllithium in ether-ammonia and excess alkyl halide (method B). Analogous reactions in the benz [a] anthracene and dibenz [a, h] anthracene series proceed with similar stereospecificity.
