Expect the Unexpected - Li⁺ Migration Governing the Substitution of 7H-Benzo[de]anthracene with Main-Group Fragments

Abstract

We report electrophile-dependent, site-selective heavier maingroup functionalization of the benzanthracene framework, affording a heteroleptic phosphine oxide and phosphaalkene derivative. Combined experimental and DFT studies reveal that kinetic and thermodynamic factors govern this reactivity, providing new insights into main-group incorporation within extended π-conjugated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.