In the crystal structure of the title compound, C18H14O4, there are two independent molecules, both of which are exactly centrosymmetric and therefore have a transoid arrangement of the ester substituents. The planes of these are inclined at 63.90 (4) and 61.02 (5)° to the anthracene central ring in the two molecules because of steric interactions, preventing electronic delocalization. The observed conformation is in agreement with ...
