This work demonstrated new method for the synthesis of cyclopenta[a]naphthalenol and 2-phenylnaphthalen-1-ol analogs via selective cyclization. ortho-alkynylarylkenones were employed as the common substrates which could be prepared by Sonogashira coupling between 2-haloaryacetophenone and pent-4-yn-1-ol derivatives. These precursors were used without purification to construct 2-phenylnaphthalen-1-ol intermediates by treating with (+)-CSA under heating conditions. Selective cyclization occurred when the reaction was conducted in methyl trimethylacetate solvent which predominantly produced 2-phenylnaphthalen-1-ol product through 6-endo-dig cyclization without elimination or the formation of cyclopenta[a]naphthalenol via shutting down 5-exo-dig mode of cyclization. Switching acids from Brønsted acid to Bi(OTf)3, the reactions smoothly provided cyclopenta[a]naphthalenol products in moderate to good yields. Moreover, we also demonstrated the utilization of 2-phenylnaphthalen-1-ol to prepare naphthoquinone which is the importance core structure of bioactive and natural product compounds.
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