Synthesis of 2-naphthols via carbonylative Stille coupling reaction of 2-bromobenzyl bromides with tributylallylstannane followed by the Heck reaction.

A method for the synthesis of 2-naphthols 4 is described. The carbonylative Stille coupling reactions of 2-bromobenzyl bromides with tributylallylstannane to produce 2-bromobenzyl β,γ-unsaturated ketones 2 in satisfactory to excellent yields has been achieved. The isomerization of 2-bromobenzyl β,γ-unsaturated ketones 2 can readily occur under basic conditions to generate 2-bromobenzyl α,β-unsaturated ketones 3. The 2-bromobenzyl α,β-unsaturated ketones 3 can be transformed into 2-naphthols 4 via intramolecular Heck reaction in satisfactory to good yields.