Highly efficient synthesis of extended triptycenes via Diels-Alder cycloaddition in water under microwave radiation

Microwave-irradiated Diels-Alder reactions of anthracene and endoxides (6a-g) in water afforded the cycloadducts (8a-g) with high efficiencies. The extended triptycenes (2a-g) were readily obtained by dehydration of 8a-g in a mixture of AcOH and Ac2O with good overall yields.