Synthesis and characterization of new hexahelicene derivatives

The synthesis and structural characterization of a new hexahelicene derivative 2 is reported. This compound features a new type of structure bearing a bromine atom and a methoxy group. Suitable crystals of the latter indicate that its conformation closely resembles that of the unsubstituted [6]helicene, whose idealized symmetry is C2. This 3-bromo-14-methoxyhexahelicene was subjected to lithiation/phosphinilation and yielded the new 3-methoxy-14-(diphenylphosphino)hexahelicene 3. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.