New, efficient syntheses of chrysene (l), dibenzo [b, k] chrysene (16), and derivatives are described that feature, as the key step, the formal cycloaddition between 1, 5naphthodiyne (3) and a heterocyclic diene (furan, pyrroles, isoindoles). Subsequent manipulation affords the arene in 26-49% overall yield from comhercially available 2, 6-dibromo-l, 5dihydroxynaphthalene (5). The latter is easily converted to ditosylate 6, which, with ...