Summary: An efficient synthesis of bromonaphthalenes 5b-c, which represent suitably functionalized precursors to the perylenequinone ring system characteristic of the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C (l), is described and was based on the Diels-Alder reaction of o-quinol acetate 7 with 1, 1, 3-trioxygenated butadienes 6a-c, followed by selective, acid- promoted elimination of R3SiOH and AcOH to directly afford naphthalenes lla-c.
