Brønsted Acid-catalyzed Tandem Cycloaromatization of Naphthalene-based Bisacetals: Selective Synthesis of ortho-Fused Six-hexagon Benzenoids#

Naphthalenes bearing two acetal moieties connected by a methylene-2,1-phenylene group underwent regioselective tandem cycloaromatization using a catalytic amount of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol. Five substrates were successfully employed in this protocol to afford ortho-fused six-hexagon benzenoids with high selectivities and in excellent yields.