Chemistry on the rim of buckybowls: derivatization of 1,2,5,6-tetrabromocorannulene

Synthesis of a number of substituted corannulenes and dibenzo[a,g]corannulenes starting from 1,2,5,6-tetrabromocorannulene 3 is described. Since 3 is conveniently obtained by a large scale, non-pyrolytic route, it may serve as a synthon for the further elaboration of this bowl-shaped system.