Aurated Aryl Cations as Halogen Abstractors – Easy Access to 1-Halogenated Naphthalenes

1,5-Diynes bearing two terminal alkyne functionalities are converted into highly reactive naphthyl cation intermediates by a gold(I) catalyst with a sterically demanding ligand. This highly electrophilic intermediate is utilized for the abstraction of halogens from appropriate solvents (e.g., DCE).