Abstract The generation of 9, 10-dihydrosilaanthracenes with substituents on benzo ring carbons, specifically in the 4, 5-positions adjacent to the methylene bridge, has been developed. Attempts to prepare the 1-8-isomer where the substituents are adjacent to the silicon bridge are also described. The diarymethane precursors to the substituted 9, 10- dihydrosilaanthracenes required the synthesis of 2, 3-dihalotoluenes as well as isomeric 2 ...