A simple, two-step, site-specific preparation of fluorinated naphthalene and phenanthrene derivatives from fluorobromo-substituted alkenes.

A facile two-step procedure for the site-specific preparation of fluorinated naphthalene and phenanthrene derivatives is described. The Sonogashira reaction of bromofluoro-substituted alkenes with terminal alkynes, followed by base-catalyzed cyclization in refluxing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), affords the corresponding fluorinated naphthalene and phenanthrene derivatives in good yields.