Controllable one-step synthesis of spirocycles, polycycles, and di- and tetrahydronaphthalenes from aryl-substituted propargylic alcohols.

A novel, convenient, and efficient method has been developed for selective synthesis of spirocycle, polycycle, and di- and tetrahydronaphthalene systems from aryl-substituted propargylic alcohols by FeCl3- or TsOH-catalyzed multiple activations of unsaturated C-C bonds and C-H bonds.