Abstract
Hydroquinones bearing an electron-withdrawing group at the C2-position effectively underwent oxidative coupling with indoles or arenes in the presence of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano p-benzoquinone (DDQ) and FeCl3 to give the corresponding biaryls. Indole-based products were further converted into tetracyclic aromatics using DDQ and FeCl3. Thiophene derivatives were also applicable to give the tetracyclic aromatics, possessing luminescent properties.