Investigations on isomerization and rearrangement of polycyclic arenes under oxidative conditions – Anodic versus reagent-mediated reactions

Abstract Electro-organic conversions at an active molybdenum anode enable the formation of fused arenes. High chemoselectivity was achieved under anodic conditions, and a reagent-induced selectivity was observed by comparison with results of MoCl 5 -mediated reactions. Polycyclic arenes like phenanthrenes, triphenylenes, chrysenes, or helicenes were selectively obtained in yields up to 87% and in some cases unusual rearrangements were crucial for the product formation.