Efficient synthesis of oxygenated terphenyls and other oligomers: sequential arylation reactions through phenol oxidation-rearomatization.

One by one: starting from simple phenols, a diverse series of oxygenated terphenyl compounds can be prepared in a concise and practical manner using sequential arylation reactions involving phenol oxidation/rearomatization and quinone monoacetal intermediates. Many of the terphenyl products can be used for preparing well-defined oligomers and, furthermore, contain valuable functional groups that can be transformed for further diversification.