Upon dissolution of 2, 2', 3, 3', 4, 4', 5, 5', 6, 6'decamethyldiphenylmethane (1) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a deep-seated transformation takes place with eventual formation of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-octamethylanthracene (ОМА) and its radical cation. The formation of ОМА is initiated by the establishment of an equilibrium involving proton-induced cleavage of 1 to give pentamethylbenzyl cation and pentamethylbenzene. Species 1-H+ undergoes ...