Short synthesis of functionalized pentalongin derivatives using pyridinium ylid chemistry

3-Substituted pentalongin derivatives possessing an acetal function at C-1 were synthesized by cyclization of acylmethylnaphthoquinones. The latter naphthoquinones were prepared starting from 2-dioxolanylnaphthoquinone by means of both a stoichiometric and a catalytic method deploying various pyridinium ylids.