Construction of functionalized naphtho[2,1-c]chromene scaffolds by Diels-Alder reaction using benzyne as dienophiles

[Display omitted] •Polycyclic compound was constructed in one-step by using benzyne as the key intermediate.•Target product dihydronaphtho[2,1-c]chromene possess great potential to be transformed to derivatives of wide application.•In the presence of DDQ, the naphthochromenes could be furnished in 96–99 % yields. In this study, a direct synthetic methodology for the construction of dihydronaphtho[2,1-c]chromene scaffold derivatives has been developed. Via the benzyne-participating Diels-Alder route, the naphtho[2,1-c]chromene skeleton possessing promising biological activity could be efficiently furnished under mild conditions.