9,9′-Anthril has been synthesized both from 9-anthryllithium/oxalyl chloride at −78 °C, and from methyl 9-anthrilate by a reversebenzilicacid rearrangement. Anthril isomerizes by Diels-Alder reaction. Reduction gives 9,9′-anthroin and hydro-9,9′-anthroin.