Highly efficient synthesis of extended triptycenes via Diels–Alder cycloaddition in water under microwave radiation

Microwave-irradiated Diels–Alder reactions of anthracene and endoxides (6a–g) in water afforded the cycloadducts (8a–g) with high efficiencies. The extended triptycenes (2a–g) were readily obtained by dehydration of 8a–g in a mixture of AcOH and Ac2O with good overall yields.