Synthesis of naphthalene derivatives through inexpensive BF3•Et2O-catalyzed annulation reaction of arylacetaldehydes with arylalkynes

An inexpensive BF3 center dot Et2O-catalyzed annulation reaction of arylacetaldehydes with arylalkynes has been developed. Various substituted phenylacetaldehydes and phenylacetylenes can undergo this reaction, producing corresponding alpha-aryl substituted naphthalene derivatives. Use of inexpensive and readily available BF3 center dot Et2O catalyst constitutes the most attractive advantage of this transformation.