Iterative strategies are reported for the synthesis of some large monodisperse [n] phenacenes, which are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives having n benzene rings fused in an extended phenanthrene-like structural motif. The key carbon–carbon bond- forming steps involve either Wittig or McMurry coupling reactions to give diarylethylenes, and oxidative photocyclizations of those diarylethylenes. tert-Butyl substituents on the ...
