The syntheses of 1, 2-bis (3-methylphenyl)-, 1-(6-methyl-2-pyridy1)-2-(3-methylphenyl)-, and 1, 2-bis (6-methyl-2-pyridy1) benzenes are described. The aryl and heteroaryl olefins were brominated and didehydrobrominated to give the corresponding acetylenes, which were treated with e-pyrone to generate. the respective ortho-substituted benzenes. The methyl substituents were oxidized with potassium permanganate to give, after esterification, the ...