Cu(<scp>ii</scp>)-catalyzed domino construction of spironaphthalenones by dearomatization of β-naphthols and using <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylaminoethanol as a C1 synthon

Abstract

Herein, a Cu(II)-catalyzed facile construction of synthetically valuable spiro compounds from β-naphthols in air is reported, in which <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylaminoethanol (DMEA) serves as an efficient and unique C1 synthon. This transformation proceeds through an <i>ortho</i>-quinone methide (<i>o</i>-QM) formation/Michael addition/dearomatization sequence, affording various spiro(naphthalenenaphtho)furan-2-ones in moderate to excellent yields.