Silver(I)-Catalyzed Regioselective Construction of Highly Substituted α-Naphthols and Its Application toward Expeditious Synthesis of Lignan Natural Products.

A novel route has been developed for regioselective synthesis of highly substituted α-naphthols, binaphthols, and anthracenol through silver(I) catalyzed C(sp(3))-H/C(sp)-H, C(sp(2))-H/C(sp)-H functionalization of β-ketoesters and alkynes, respectively, in a single step using water as a solvent. This protocol exhibited broad substrate scope and paved the way for synthesis of anticancer arylnaphthalene lignan natural products such as diphyllin, taiwanin E, and justicidin A with excellent selectivity.