Two different transformations of α-(isochromen-1-yl)ketones catalyzed by NHC Brønsted bases are reported. In the presence of a triazole carbene, α-(isochromen-1-yl)ketones isomerized into β-(2-(aroylmethylene)phenyl)-α,β-unsaturated ketones in 38–88% yields, while the same reaction catalyzed by an imidazole carbene produced 1-aroylnaphthalene derivatives in 90–99% yields. This work not only provides a new method for the synthesis of a novel type of α,β-unsaturated ketone and multi-substituted naphthalene derivatives, but also advances the application of NHC catalysts in the field of Brønsted base-catalysis.
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
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