1. The acid catalyzed cyclodehydration method was extended to the 9-aryl-1,2-benzanthracene and 9-naphthylanthracene series. 2. A new method of cyeclodehydration was described. 3. The series of 10-mono- and 10-dimethylphenyl-1,2-benzanthracenes was completed. All the isomeric 9-mono- and 9-dimethylphenyl-1,2-benzanthracenes were prepared together with the corresponding ketones. Some highly hindered ketones were prepared and their cyclization realized. A total of 47 compounds, not previously reported in the literature, were synthesized. 4. The spectra of 24 hydrocarbons were recorded and the theory of nonplanarity of these compounds substantiated. / Ph. D.