Direct Synthesis of Napthalenes by Nickel‐Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization of o‐Vinyl Chlorobenzenes with Internal Alkynes

Abstract

An efficient nickel-catalyzed arylnickelation of alkyne/Heck cyclization of challenging o-vinyl chlorobenzenes with internal alkynes has been developed. This protocol enables synthesis of a wide variety of substituted naphthalenes in a cascade process from readily available starting materials. Mechanistic studies indicate the radical pathway is not involved in the cascade catalytic system.