Anthracene, 10-H-anthracen-9-one, 9-H-fluorene, diphenylmethane, 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran, and 1,2,3,4-tetra-hydronaphthatene were oxidized, each with H2O2 used in 260 or 300% excess in acetonitrile as medium in the presence of silico- (H2SiO4.12WO(3).xH(2)O) or boro-tungstic acid, each used as such or deposited on polyaniline or on silica gel. The reactions were run at the boil (83-85degreesC). Microwaves enhanced yields by 10-30% and curtailed reaction times by up to 50% as compared with conventional procedures. The SiO2-supported catalysts were most active.