Synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted naphthalenes from the Baylis–Hillman acetates with the aid of manganese(III) acetate

1,3-Disubstituted naphthalene derivatives can be easily synthesized from Baylis–Hillman acetates by successive reaction: (1) SN2′ type reaction with diethyl malonate or ethyl nitroacetate; (2) manganese(III) acetate-assisted radical cyclization and (3) aromatization with NaI/O2 system or elimination of nitrous acid.