One-Pot, Three-Aryne Cascade Strategy for Naphthalene Formation from 1,3-Diynes and 1,2-Benzdiyne Equivalents

Here we disclose a cascade strategy for naphthyne formation that capitalizes on the traditional benzyne generation (i.e., from an ortho-silyl aryl triflate) and the thermal hexadehydro-Diels–Alder (HDDA) reaction. In this transformation, three distinct aryne species work in tandem, two of which can be formally considered as a 1,2-benzidyne, and each undergoes a different type of trapping event. Many examples were explored by varying the naphthyne capture chemistry as well as the 1,2-benzdiyne equivalent. This strategy enables rapid construction of various naphthalene products and has potential for the synthesis of extended polycyclic arenes.