Nickel-catalyzed cocyclotrimerization of arynes with diynes; a novel method for synthesis of naphthalene derivatives

The NiBr2(dppe)–Zn system effectively catalyzes the [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclotrimerization of arynes with diynes, leading to substituted naphthalene derivatives in moderate to good yields. This cocyclotrimerization reaction shows excellent tolerance of functional groups and leads to products of 5- to 7-membered fused-ring sizes