Layered Compounds. LII. Syntheses of Eleven Anthracenophanes

Abstract
A series of layered cyclophanes where an anthracene ring is stacked in different modes with the same or other π-systems has been synthesized by the Hofmann elimination method or photodesulfurization for studying the transannular π-electronic interaction. Photochemical and thermal interconversions have been observed between syn-(1,4)anthracenophane and its isomer and have been discussed with reference to the X-ray crystal data. From the electronic spectra it has been established that the transannular interaction increases with overlapping between the two faced aromatic rings and that when the overlap between the two chromophores is the same, the interaction increases relative to the dimension of the faced chromophore.