A new aromatic annulation reaction based on sequential Horner–Emmons and Claisen condensation reactions is described. The method is high yielding and provides a rapid entry to arylnaphthalenes. The lignan natural products justicidin B 1, retrojusticidin B 2, taiwanin C 3, justicidin E 4, chinensin 5 and retrochinensin 6 have all been synthesised in good overall yield using this protocol, demonstrating its potential in multiple parallel synthesis. The ...