Lewis acid-catalyzed benzannulation via unprecedented [4+2] cycloaddition of o-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes and enynals with alkynes.

The reaction of o-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes 1 with alkynes 2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of AuCl(3) in (CH(2)Cl)(2) at 80 degrees C gave the [4+2] benzannulation products, naphthyl ketone derivatives 3 and 4, in high yields. When the reaction was carried out using AuBr(3) instead of AuCl(3), the reaction speed was enhanced and the chemical yield was increased. On the other hand, when the reaction was carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cu(OTf)(2) and 1 equiv of a Brønsted acid, such as CF(2)HCO(2)H, in (CH(2)Cl)(2) at 100 degrees C, the decarbonylated naphthalene products 5 were obtained in high yields. Similarly, the Cu(OTf)(2)-H(2)O-promoted reaction of the enynals 7 with an alkyne 2 afforded the corresponding [4+2] benzannulation products, decarbonylated benzene derivatives 8, in good yields. Both AuX(3)- and Cu(OTf)(2)-catalyzed benzannulations proceed most probably through the formation of the benzo[c]pyrylium ate complex 10, the Diels-Alder addition of alkynes 2 to the ate complex, and the resulting bicyclic pyrylium ion intermediate 12. The mechanistic difference between the AuX(3) and Cu(OTf)(2)-HA system is discussed.