Under an argon atmosphere, a solution of 4.81 g of 2-bromonaphthalene in 30 mL of THF was cooled to −78° C. Subsequently, 25 mL of a 1.6-M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane were dropped to the solution, and then the mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 1 hour. A solution of 6.76 g of 2-(2-naphthyl)-10-anthrone in 20 mL of THF was added to the mixture, and then the resultant reaction solution was stirred for 5 hours at 50° C. under heat. After the reaction solution had been cooled to room temperature, 100 mL of 10% hydrochloric acid were added to the solution. After the water layer had been removed, the organic layer was washed with water and a saturated salt solution. Then, the organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure, and then the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography. Thus, 2.90 g of 2,10-di(2-naphthyl)anthracene were obtained (in 32% yield).
