Kinetic study of the formation of triphenylene from the condensation of C12H10Â +Â C6H5

► The formation of triphenylene from C6H5 + C12H10 via the PAC mechanism. ► Two channels of phenyl radical addition to biphenyl have been found for the first time. ► The H-elimination of the phenyl radical-biphenyl adducts is the rate-determining step. ► The agreement between experimental and calculated rate coefficients of the phenylation reaction of biphenyl.