A room-temperature cascade process for the formation of diethyl
2-aryl-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1,1(2H)-naphthalenedicarboxylate
is described by using a combination of Michael addition and copper-catalyzed α-arylation
of malonic acid derivatives. The protocol worked well for a variety
of 1-(2-iodoaryl)enones and displayed great functional group compatibility.
Michael addition - copper - catalysis - cascade
reactions - α-arylation