Copper-catalyzed tandem alkynylation, propargyl-allenyl isomerization, 6π-electrocyclization of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts to naphthalenes

An expedient synthetic approach of naphthalenes was developed by the reaction of Morita-Baylis-Hillman bromides and arylacetylenes. The synthesis was carried out via a tandem copper-catalyzed alkynylation, propargyl-allenyl isomerization, and 6π-electrocyclization protocol.