Benzo[f]-3-aza- and -10-azafluoroanthenes

Reduction of 3-methyl-9-(o-tolyl)-2-azafluoren-9-ol (I) with tin in hydrochloric acid gave 3-methyl-9-(o-tolyl)-2-azafluorene, dehydrocyclization of which on a K-16 catalyst at 520-500°C gave a complex mixture, from which four substances - 2-methylbenzo[f]-3-azafluoranthene, 11-methylbenzo[f]-10-azafluoranthene, benzo[f]-3-azafluoroanthene (II), and I-were isolated and identified by means of the IR, UV, and PMR, and mass spectra. It is shown that the dehydrocyclization proceeds through the hydrogen atoms of the methyl group of the tolyl substituent and takes place at the 8-C or 1-C atom of the azafluorene system. The formation of products II and I constitutes evidence that the reaction is accompanied by partial demethylation or oxidation. © 1978 Plenum Publishing Corporation.