Synthesis of optically active bihelicenols

All six stereoisomers of dimethyl 5,5′-dihydroxy-1,1′,12,12′-tetramethyl-[6,6′]bi(benzo[c]phenanthrenyl)-8,8′-dicarboxylate (bihelicenol) were synthesized by the oxidative coupling of methyl 8-hydroxy-1,12-dimethylbenzo[c]phenanthrene-5-carboxylate (helicenol), and their structures were determined by X-ray analysis.