Labeled metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. VI. Trans‐7,8‐dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene‐7,8,diol‐G‐ 3 H and (±)‐7α,8β‐dihydroxy‐9β,10β‐epoxy‐7,8,9,10‐tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene‐G‐ 3 H

The syntheses of trans ‐7,8‐dihydrobenzo[ a ]pyrene‐7,8‐diol‐G‐ 3 H (V) and (±)‐7α, 8β‐dihydroxy‐9β,10β‐epoxy‐7,8,9,10‐tetrahydrobenzo[ a ]pyrene‐G‐ 3 H (VI) are described. The specific activities of V and VI were 158 mCi/mmole and 220 mCi/mmole, respectively. The key intermediate, trans ‐7,8,9,10‐tetrahydrobenzo[ a ]pyrene‐7,8‐diol‐G‐ 3 H dibenzoate (III), was prepared by catalytic dehalogenation with tritium gas.