The reaction pathway for the formation of tetracenes from the diols 1,2-C6H4(CHOHC^CAr)2, LiHDMS,
CS2and MeI has been modelled by computational methods at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. Comparison of
PhCHOC(¼S)YCCPh (Y¼S?or SMe) indicates a slight kinetic advantage for the anionic system towards
[3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement [Eact(calcd) 19.7 vs 21.8 kcal mol?1]. Using anthracene-based models,
10-{SC(¼O)Y}-4a,10-dihydroanthracene (Y¼S?or SMe), allows direct comparison of both syn and anti-
manifolds in the neutral versus anionic Chugaev elimination. syn-Elimination of [HSC(¼O)S]-is distinctly
favoured [Eact(calcd) 11.4 kcal mol?1] versus syn elimination of neutral methylated HSC(¼O)SMe [Eact(-
calcd) 27.5 kcal mol?1]. The smaller barrier to syn elimination of the anionic leaving group is in accord
with the low temperature conditions required for this Chugaev reaction (60?C) and suggests a general
advantage in carrying out Chugaev eliminations in anionic manifolds.