Regioselective synthesis of substituted naphthalenes: a novel de novo approach based on a metal-free protocol for stepwise cycloaddition of o-alkynylbenzaldehyde derivatives with either alkynes or alkenes.

[reaction: see text]. Iodonium ions, o-alkynyl-substituted carbonyl compounds, and alkynes react to give 1-iodonaphthalene derivatives featuring interesting substitution patterns. The reaction with alkenes instead of acetylenes affords related naphthyl ketone derivatives. These two metal-free processes are conducted at room temperature and furnish products in a regioselective manner.