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.

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