A new general synthetic approach to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is described. The method is based on the convenient availability of o-lithioarylamides from regiospecific metalation of Nfl-diethylarylamides with alkyllithium-amine reagents. Addition of the o- lithioarylamide to an aryl ketone or aldehyde affords a lactone. Reduction of the latter with zinc and alkali or HI generates the free acid which undergoes cyclization with ZnClz and ...