Abstract: Cyclic aryl ethers, thioethers or amines, and methods for synthesis are disclosed. These cyclic aryl compounds are synthesized by combining a first dinucleophile with a substituted benzene metallized electron-withdrawing complex, having halo or nitro substituen groups, to form a linear bimetallized aryl compound. The linear bimetallized aryl compound is then reacted with a second dinucleophile to form a cyclic bimetallized aryl compound. The metallized electron-withdrawing moieties are then removed from said cyclic bimetallized aryl compound by photolytic demetallation to form a cyclic aryl compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: X.sub.1 and X.sub.3 are the same or different and each is a alkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclic or aromatic group having up to 6 conjugated rings, optionally substituted;X.sub.2 is benzenen.sub.1 and n.sub.3 are the same or different and each is O, S or N; andn.sub.4 is H or lower alkyl.