Rapid synthesis of crowded aromatic architectures from silyl acetylenes

Congested aromatic systems were prepared by benzannulating silyl-protected arylacetylenes. The silyl groups may be retained in the naphthalene products and transformed into iodides in high yield. The desirable attributes of this strategy, particularly its remarkable tolerance of sterically hindered alkynes, are showcased in the efficient synthesis of a congested, branched oligo(naphthalene). As such, benzannulations of diaryl and silyl-protected acetylenes show outstanding promise for accessing new aromatic architectures.