Construction of 1-Naphthols via Benzannulation Based on the Reaction of Aryl tert-Butyl Ynol Ethers with Ynamides or Ynol Ethers.

A new version of benzannulation featuring the use of aromatic tert-butyl ynol ethers as the convenient precursors for arylketenes has been developed. Both ynamides and ynol ethers undergo this reaction smoothly, giving 3-amino and 3-alkoxy 1-naphthols in good to excellent yields under the heated reaction conditions. The high efficiency, excellent regioselectivity, good functional group compatibility, and broad substrate scope render this reaction particularly valuable for organic synthesis.