Synthesis, crystal structures and properties of 1,8-di(quinol-2-yl)octa-1,7-diyne and 1,8-di(phenantren-9-yl)octa-1,7-diyne

1,8-Di(quinol-2-yl)octa-1,7-diyne and 1,8-di(phenanthren-9-yl)octa-1,7-diyne were synthesised by conventional and microwaveassisted methods in good yields. Microwave irradiation enhances the rate of these reactions. Photophysical properties of these derivatives were also evaluated, and it was found that 1,8-di(phenanthren-9-yl)octa-1,7-diyne displays a higher fluorescence quantum yield than 1,8-di(quinol-2-yl)octa-1,7-diyne. The molecular structures of 1,8-di(quinol-2-yl)octa-1,7-diyne and 1,8-di(phenanthren-9-yl)octa-1,7-diyne were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.