
%0 Journal Article
%A Cosmo, R 
%A Sternhell, S 
%T Dehydrogenation of 4,5-Disubstitued 9,10-Dihydrophenanthrenes
%J Australian Journal of Chemistry
%D 1987/12/01
%V 40
%N 12
%P 2137-2142
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/CH9872137
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/CH9872137 
%X Dehydrogenation rates of four 4,5-disubstituted 9,l0-dihydrophenanthrenes to the corresponding phenanthrenes by 10% palladium on charcoal for the substituents, H, OCH3, F and CH3, appear to be related to the size of the substituents. The preparation of three new phenanthrenes, viz. 4,5-dichlorophenanthrene, 4,5-difluoro-phenanthrene and 4,5-bis( trifluoromethyl ) phenanthrene, is described. Treatment of mesitylene with either 10% palladium on charcoal at reflux or 2,3-dichloro-5,6- dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone gives an appreciable yield of mesityl(3',5'-xylyl)methane. 
