Iridium-catalyzed reaction of aroyl chlorides with internal alkynes to produce substituted naphthalenes and anthracenes.

Benzoyl chlorides efficiently react with 2 equiv of dialkylacetylenes as well as diphenylacetylene in the presence of an iridium catalyst accompanied by decarbonylation to produce 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted naphthalenes in good yields. Use of 2-naphthoyl chlorides selectively affords the corresponding anthracene derivatives.