Base-Mediated and Silver-Catalyzed Divergent Synthesis of Hydroxynaphthalenamides and Phosphorylated Dihydronaphthylamides from Enone-Oxazolones

An efficient divergent approach to functionalized naphthalene derivatives, the naphthalenamides, via base-mediated and silver-catalyzed cyclization has been developed using enone-oxazolones as the precursors. This protocol utilized base in methanol with heating to construct the corresponding hydroxynaphthalenamides 2 by a C-C bond formation, oxazolone ring-opening, and aromatization in good yields. On the other hand, phosphorylated dihydronaphthylamides 3 were generated by using H-phosphonate as the phosphonating reagent in a silver-catalyzed cyclization involving the phospha-1,4-addition/intramolecular ring closure with concomitant C-P/C-C bond formation in good yields.

N-Fluorobenzamide-Directed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition Reaction with Maleic Anhydride: Access to Fluorescent Aminonaphthalic Anhydrides

We have developed a formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of N-fluorobenzamides and maleic anhydride in the presence of CuI and LiOH, and a series of fluorescent 1-amino-2,3-naphthalic anhydrides were produced in good yields. This reaction proceeded via a multistep process involving nitrogen-centered radical generation, 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer, and benzylic radical addition to the amide carbonyl oxygen to generate an N-(tert-butyl) isobenzofuran-1(3H)-imine intermediate, which isomerized to an N-(tert-butyl) isobenzofuran-1-amine via deprotonation and protonation with the aid of LiOH; finally, the amine underwent a [4+2] cycloaddition reaction with maleic anhydride to give the 1-amino-2,3-naphthalic anhydride product upon dehydrating aromatization. Notably, the corresponding naphthalic anhydride products could be transformed into a diverse array of naphthalimides. Both the naphthalic anhydrides and the naphthalimides exhibited similar fluorescent features.

Ag(I)-Promoted homo-dimerization of 2-(alk-2-yn-1-onyl)-1-alkynylbenzenes via a [4 + 2] cycloaddition of benzopyrylium ions: access to structurally unique naphthalenes

Herein we report a Ag(I)-promoted homo-dimerization of 2-(alk-2-yn-1-onyl)-1-alkynylbenzenes for the synthesis of structurally novel and functionalized naphthalene derivatives. This transformation exhibits a broad scope for the alkyl as well as aryl groups present on alkynes. Observations made from control experiments suggest the possible mechanism as (i) the homo-dimerization of the in situ generated benzopyrylium ion intermediates through a head-tail [4 + 2] cycloaddition, followed by (ii) the competitive ring-opening vs. decarbonylative aromatization of the adduct to give formylated and deformylated naphthalenes, respectively.

Tandem Synthesis of 1,3-Disubstituted Naphthalenes via TfOH-Promoted Directed-Aldol and Friedel-Crafts Reactions

A TfOH-promoted tandem synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted naphthalenes is developed via a directed-aldol reaction and a Friedel-Crafts reaction. Two new C-C bonds and one new benzene ring are created efficiently in one pot due to the discovery of a TfOH-promoted highly chemoselective directed-aldol reaction between two different ketones with α-hydrogens.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Multicomponent Cascade Reaction for the Synthesis of Contiguously Substituted Tetrahydronaphthols

Isobenzopyrylium ions are unique, highly reactive, aromatic intermediates which are largely unexplored in asymmetric catalysis despite their high potential synthetic utility. In this study, an organocatalytic asymmetric multicomponent cascade via dienamine catalysis, involving a cycloaddition, a nucleophilic addition, and a ring-opening reaction, is disclosed. The reaction furnishes chiral tetrahydronaphthols containing four contiguous stereocenters in good to high yield, high diastereoselectivity (up to >20:1), and excellent enantioselectivity (93-98% ee). The obtained products are important synthetic intermediates, and it is demonstrated that they can be used for the generation of frameworks such as octahydrobenzo[h]isoquinoline and [2.2.2]octane scaffolds. Furthermore, mechanistic experiments involving oxygen-18-labeling studies and density functional theory calculations provide a vivid picture of the reaction mechanism. Finally, the bioactivity of 16 representative tetrahydronaphthol compounds has been evaluated in U-2OS cancer cells with some compounds showing a unique profile and a clear morphological change.

Construction of 3-Sulfonyl Naphthalenes via Tandem Reaction of 1,4-Diyn-3-yl Esters with Sodium Sulfinates

Polysubstituted 3-sulfonyl naphthalenes were constructed in good to high yields by AlCl₃-mediated tandem reaction of 1,4-diyn-3-yl esters and sodium sulfinates. This reaction proceeded under mild reaction conditions and tolerated a variety of functional groups. Moreover, the mechanistic studies indicated that the initial formation of allene under DBU from 1,4-diyn-3-yl ester and a sequence of nucleophilic addition of sodium sulfinate, the formation of allene, and intramolecular cyclization might be involved.

Acylalkylation of Arynes Generated from o-Iodoaryl Triflates with Hydrosilanes and Cesium Fluoride

An efficient method to generate aryne intermediates from o-iodoaryl triflates triggered by triethylsilane and cesium fluoride is disclosed. This method realized the acylalkylation of arynes using easily available o-iodoaryl triflate-type precursors, which was difficult when using conventional nucleophilic activators. A wide range of (hetero)arenes including various fused benzothiazoles were successfully synthesized from o-iodoaryl triflates by virtue of their good accessibility and divergent transformations of aryne intermediates.

Benzannulation of isobenzopyryliums with electron-rich alkynes: a modular access to β-functionalized naphthalenes

Described here is a modular strategy for the rapid synthesis of β-functionalized electron-rich naphthalenes, a family of valuable molecules lacking general access previously. Our approach employs an intermolecular benzannulation of in situ generated isobenzopyrylium ions with various electron-rich alkynes, which were not well utilized for this type of reaction before. These reactions not only feature a broad scope, complete regioselectivity, and mild conditions, but also exhibit unusual product divergence depending on the substrate substitution pattern. This divergence allows further expansion of the product diversity. Control experiments provided preliminary insights into the reaction mechanism.

A substituent-controlled divergent benzannulation provides rapid access to various β-functionalized naphthalenes from electron-rich alkynes.

Sequential σ-Bond Insertion/Benzannulation Involving Arynes: Selective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Naphthalenes

An interesting σ-bond insertion/benzannulation reaction for the synthesis of polysubstituted naphthalene derivatives has been developed from readily accessible ketones, arynes, and alkynoates. This practical and transition-metal-free method provides a novel route to diverse naphthalenes through a substrate-controlled rearrangement reaction with the cleavage of C-C bonds.

Donor- and acceptor-enynals/enynones

Three kinds of transformations based on benzo-fused donor- and acceptor-enynals/enynones, including reactions with alkenes, alkynes, and H₂O, were discussed.

A silver-catalyzed three-component reaction via stabilized cation: synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydronaphthols and tetrahydronaphthylamines

An efficient method for the synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydronaphthols and tetrahydronaphthylamines via a stabilized cation intermediate has been developed.