To our delight, the inner-bond-cleavage strategy is also applicable to the larger PAHs 4 and 5. The oxidative bond cleavage of 4 and 5 proceeded selectively at two internal C-C bonds to furnish 6 and 7 in 63% and 59% yield, respectively. The selectivity of the reactions can be explained by Clar's rule , which predicts higher double-bond character for the oxidatively cleaved inner C-C bonds of 4 and 5. We corroborated this empirical assumption by conducting density functional theory (DFT) calculations for 6 and 7. A relatively large bond-length alternation in the six-membered rings that contain the cleaved C-C bonds was observed, indicating weak local aromaticity (Fig. ) .