We report a regiocontrolled 6-endo-dig cyclization of 2-(2-arylethynyl)heteroaryl esters occurred under Bronsted acidic conditions and in the presence of a catalytic amount of Lewis acids such as Cu(OTf)(2), AUCl(3), or (CF3CO2)Ag. A variety of heteroc yclic lactones are readily prepared in excellent yields. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.