A synthetic route to hexaarylbenzenes containing up to six pyrrole units was developed. These pyrrole moieties are connected to the central benzene core via their β-carbon atom. Oxidative cyclodehydrogenation of systems containing one pyrrole ring led to the formation of [5]helicenes instead of the completely fused coronene-like structure.
![Graphical abstract: Unexpected formation of [5]helicenes from hexaarylbenzenes containing pyrrole moieties](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C7QO00112F.jpg)