Pd-catalyzed reactions of o-diiodoarenes with alkynes for aromatic ring extension.

[reaction: see text] A new and efficient palladium-catalyzed reaction of o-diiodoarenes with internal alkynes produces naphthalenes or anthracenes in good to excellent yields. This procedure provides a simple, catalytic, and straightforward ring-extension method for constructing substituted polycyclic aromatic compounds.