One-pot synthesis of phthalazines and pyridazino-aromatics: a novel strategy for substituted naphthalenes.

A new one-pot strategy for the synthesis of phthalazines and pyridazino-aromatics starting from aromatic aldehydes has been developed. A variety of substituents ranging from electron withdrawing to donating is tolerated furnishing the desired 1,2-diazine in good to excellent yields. The products have been applied to the bidentate Lewis acid catalyzed inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reaction opening a novel two-step entry into substituted naphthalenes, such as Naproxen.