The title compound 1 was prepared from diketone 2 by a four-step synthesis. Photorearrangement of 1 proceeded slowly compared to that of the corresponding fused blocked aromatic ketone A to form 1, lO-dimethylanthracene in variable yields. Thermolysis of 1 yielded the “double aromatization” product, 9-ethylanthracene. The thermal rearrangement was not affected by the addition of free radical chain inhibitors. An attempt ...
