1,3-Disubstituted naphthalene derivatives can be easily synthesized from Baylis-Hillman acetates by successive reaction: (1) S(N)2' type reaction with diethyl malonate or ethyl nitroacetate; (2) manganese(III) acetate-assisted radical cyclization and (3) aromatization with NaI/O-2 system or elimination of nitrous acid. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.