Photocyclodehydrofluorination

Mallory‐type photocyclization involves a series of photoreactions of stilbenes, o ‐terphenyls and related derivatives, which undergo intramolecular cyclization via dihydrophenanthrene intermediates. In typical Mallory photocyclizations, oxidants are usually needed to produce the final phenanthrene‐containing product. In the research described here, appropriately fluorinated stilbenes and o ‐terphenyls undergo ring closure and HF is eliminated. This photocyclodehydrofluorination (PCDHF) reaction is very useful to produce a wide range of selectively fluorinated polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons that possess a phenanthrene (or heterocyclic analogue of phenanthrene) substructure. These fluorinated products are of great interest in various aspects of the materials science.