Ring-fluorinated naphthalene and indene synthesis via 6- and 5-endo-trig cyclizations of gem-difluoroalkenes by carbon nucleophiles

The intramolecular vinylic substitution of gem-difluoroalkenes is accomplished with sp3 and sp2 carbon nucleophiles (2-arylethyllithium and aryllithium) in a 6-endo-trig and a normally disfavored 5-endo-trig fashion, leading to the synthesis of 3-fluoro-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes and 3-fluoroindenes, respectively. The dihydronaphthalenes are readily aromatized on treatment with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) to afford 2-fluoronaphthalenes.