Annulated arenes and hetarenes were prepared in good to very good yields by hydriodic acid/red phosphorus mediated reductive cyclization of 3-(hetero)aryl phthalides. The reductive cyclization also proceeded successfully with 2-aroylbenzoic acids and 2-aroylnaphthoic acids.
Key words
polycycles - anthracenes - tetracenes - hydriodic acid - red phosphorus - reductive cyclization