A TfOH-promoted tandem synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted naphthalenes is developed via a directed-aldol reaction and a Friedel–Crafts reaction. Two new C–C bonds and one new benzene ring are created efficiently in one pot due to the discovery of a TfOH-promoted highly chemoselective directed-aldol reaction between two different ketones with α-hydrogens.

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An efficient method for the synthesis of 6-alkynyl phenanthridines was developed. The method offered the first example to use 2-propynamides as substrates in the Bischler− Napieralski reaction and to create alkynylnitrilium triflates as new active intermediates in organic synthesis.

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The first general method for the synthesis of α-alkyl ynones was developed based on the strategy of electrophilic activation of amides. Its distinctive advantages are attributed to the use of air-stable “bare” 1-copper­(I) alkyne as a mild nucleophile without any exogeneous ligand.