Benzannulation for the Regiodefined Synthesis of 2-Alkyl/Aryl-1-naphthols: Total Synthesis of Arnottin I

Abstract

The annulation of phthalides with α-alkyl/arylacrylates in the presence of LDA/LHMDS is shown to directly give alkyl/aryl-1-naphthols. The method involving a novel dealkoxycarbonylation obviates the regiochemical issues in the synthesis of polysubstituted naphthalenes, and it forms the key step in a three-step total synthesis of arnottin I, a naphthobenzopyranone natural product.