Synthesis of substituted naphthalenes from α-substituted ketones and 1,2-bis(halomethyl)benzenes including a rearrangement aromatization of benzo[c]oxepine

An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of cyano, sulfonyl and phosphoryl substituted naphthalene derivatives via the rearrangement aromatization of benzo[c]oxepine has been developed. The system holds the advantages of metal catalysts free, and mild reaction conditions.