Iodine catalyzed simple and efficient synthesis of 14-aryl or alkyl-14-H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes

A simple and facile synthesis of 14-aryl or alkyl-14-H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes has been accomplished by treatment of 2-naphthol with aryl or alkyl aldehydes under neat conditions in the presence of molecular iodine as a catalyst. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.