“…[23] Furthermore, the derivatives of 1 can be used as spacers and building blocks for functionalized organic materials, [24] together with starting materials for organic synthesis. [25] Many synthetic methods, such as the dimerization of benzyne, [26] the Ullmann coupling of 2,2'-diiodobiphenyl 2 with Cu 2 O or Cu (Scheme 1), [27] pyrolytic extrusion, [28] and the Vollhardt method using cobalt-catalyzed cyclization, [29] have been employed for the preparation of 1 and [n]phenylenes. However, only a few limited methods are known for the construction of functionalized biphenylenes with methyl, fluoro, and other functional groups owing to the difficulty in obtaining the appropriate starting materials.…”