Synthesis of Triphenylenes Starting from 2-Iodobiphenyls and Iodobenzenes via Palladium-Catalyzed Dual C-H Activation and Double C-C Bond Formation.

A novel and facile approach for the synthesis of triphenylenes has been developed via palladium-catalyzed coupling of 2-iodobiphenyls and iodobenzenes. The reaction involves dual palladium-catalyzed C-H activations and double palladium-catalyzed C-C bond formations. A range of unsymmetrically functionalized triphenylenes can be synthesized with the reaction. The approach features readily available starting materials, high atom- and step-economy, and access to various unsymmetrically functionalized triphenylenes.