Photochemical intramolecular cyclization routes to heterocycles

1-Aryl-3-(2-azidoaryl)prop-2-en-1-ones have been prepared from o-nitro arom atic aldehydes. The 2-aroylindole derivatives are easily prepared from thes e derivatives in a tandem reaction sequence in moderate yields. Photolytic process is found to be much more facile than the thermal process in this tr ansformation. Naphthofuran derivatives have been prepared by metal-catalyze d intramolecular photocyclizations of 1-aryl-3-(2-methoxy-1-naphthyl)- and 1-aryl-3-(1-methoxy-2-naphthyl)prop-2-en-1-ones.