4-dimethoxy-2-methylnaphthalene and various activated/deactivated benzoic and heteroaromatic carboxylicacids, in the presence of mixed trifluoroacetic anhydride and triflic acid, at room temperature and in air. The 1,4-dimethoxy-2-methylnaphthalene-derived benzophenones were isolated in high yield, and submitted to oxidative demethylation with ceriumammoniumnitrate to produce 3-benzoylmenadiones. All 1,4-naphthoquinone