Synthesis of functionalized benzannulated compounds

Functionalized indane and naphthalene derivatives have been prepared according to two routes involving a nickel-catalyzed electrochemical arylation of activated olefins as the key step. The first method is a cascade process including the intramolecular nucleophilic addition of the first formed enolate intermediate. In the second method the cascade reaction is prevented by in situ protonation of the enolate, and the cyclization is further conducted chemically. This is an overall more efficient method than the first one, based on the electrochemical process.