The palladium-catalyzed coupling of alkynes with o-bromoacetophenone has be
en investigated. If this reaction is conducted in an amine solvent and is a
llowed to proceed for a lengthy reaction time, a benzannulation process, re
sulting in an aminonaphthalene derivative, follows the expected Sonogashira
coupling. The scope and limit of this reaction has been briefly investigat
ed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.