Synthesis of acenes via coupling of 1,4-dilithiobutadienes with diiodoarenes in the presence of CuCl

Dilithiobutadienes prepared from diiodobutadienes reacted with diiodobenzene or diiodonaphthalene to afford substituted naphthalene, anthracene, dihydronaphthacene, and dihydropentacene derivatives in the presence of CuCl and DMPU. Dihydronaphthacene and dihydropentacene derivatives were converted into the corresponding naphthacene and pentacene derivatives.