Palladium catalyzed synthesis of highly substituted naphthalenes viadirect ring construction from amides with alkynesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Preparation and characterization. CCDC 778161. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c0cc01448f

The direct ring construction of amides with alkynes catalyzed by palladium acetate with cheap oxidant under an air atmosphere has been realized. A variety of novel highly substituted naphthalenes 3a–3lhave been prepared chemo- and regioselectively in 55–97% yields under mild conditions. Product 3jemits intense blue luminescence peaked at 435 nm with a good blue purity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]