Synthesis of Single and Double Dibenzohelicenes by Rhodium-Catalyzed Intramolecular [2+2+2] and [2+1+2+1] Cycloaddition

Dibenzo[7]helicenes were synthesized with up to 99% ee by rhodium(I)/binap-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition of 2-phenylnaphthalene-linked triynes. Additionally, [2+1+2+1] cycloaddition products, that is, twisted anthracenes, were also synthesized by using difluorphos as ligand. Although these compounds are not configurationally stable at elevated temperature, their Scholl reactions afforded configurationally stable double dibenzo[6]helicenes. The thus-obtained dibenzo[7]helicene exhibited good circularly polarized luminescence property and the double dibenzo[6]helicene showed high fluorescence quantum yield.