Abstract The Pd-catalyzed reaction between 3-acetylamino-2-bromo-1, 4-naphthoquinones and Cu I acetylides prepared in situ gave 3-acetylamino-2-alkynyl-1, 4-naphthoquinones, which were transformed into benz [f] indole-4, 9-dione and benzo [g] quinoline-5, 10-dione derivatives.