Both of title compounds were synthesized from the corresponding arylmethanes(9-bromomethylanthracene and 1- bromomethylanthracene) in good yields in two steps: bromination with N-bromoscccinimide( NBS) and substitution with potassium cyanide(KCN) in dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO). Unsuccessful attempted cyclization of 9-cyanomethylanthracene and 1-cyanomethyl-naphthalene with hydrogen fluoride is also described.