Direct Synthesis\nof K‑Region Functionalized\nPolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons via Twofold Intramolecular C–H/C–H\nArylation

Functionalized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)\nare essential\nbuilding blocks for the bottom-up fabrication of structurally uniform\nnanocarbons. Herein we report a simple and efficient synthetic method\ntoward K-region hydroxy-functionalized PAHs via TEMPO-mediated twofold\nintramolecular C–H/C–H arylations of 1-biphenyl-2-yl-2-aryl-ethanone\nderivatives. This method achieves high yields and selectivity, synthesizing\na variety of PAH frameworks, including pyrenes, chrysenes, benzo[<i>c</i>]phenanthrenes, and benzo[<i>k</i>]tetraphenes.\nOur results also demonstrate the potential of these compounds as valuable\ncandidates for the selective construction of larger PAH structures.