Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Coupling of -(Alkynyl)styrenes with Allylic Alcohols via 6- Cyclization: Regioselective Construction of Polysubstituted Naphthalenes.

An efficient protocol is described for the regioselective construction of polysubstituted functionalized naphthalenes from easily accessible -(alkynyl)styrenes under mild reaction conditions. The reaction proceeds via cycloaromatization and intermolecular coupling of -(alkynyl)styrenes with allylic alcohols catalyzed by PdCl. Notably, the reaction is successful under open air as the green oxidant source. A range of functional groups (F, Cl, Br, NO, and ester) including protecting free OH groups were found to be compatible.