A Ru(II)-catalyzed coupling of various α-carbonyl phosphoniums with sulfoxoniumylides has been realized for the facile synthesis of 1-naphthols in good to excellent yields. This oxidant-free transformation proceeds through Ru-catalyzed C–H activation of phosphoniums, Ru-carbene insertion, and intramolecular Wittig reaction processes.
The reaction of 2-(trimethylsilyl) phenyl triflate with aroylacetones in the presence of CsF gave the corresponding 4-aryl-2-naphthols. Substituted triflates also reacted with aroylacetones to afford 4-aryl-2-naphthols regioselectively. The enantioselective oxidation of 4aryl-2-naphthols with a chiral tridentate oxovanadium(IV) complex furnished the corresponding 4,4'-biaryl-1,1'-binaphthols in good yields.