Facile Cyclization of Terphenyl to Triphenylene: A New Chemodosimeter for Fluoride Ions

Terphenyl derivatives 3 and 4 having OTBS groups have been synthesized via a Suzuki−Miyura coupling reaction. These compounds undergo unprecedented irreversible cyclization to symmetrically/unsymmetrically substituted triphenylenes while carrying out the deprotection of OTBS groups using tetrabutylammonium fluoride. Terphenyl 3 also serves as a new chemodosimeter for fluoride ions.