A direct catalytic ring expansion approach to o-fluoronaphthols and o/p-fluorophenols from indanones and 2-cyclopentenones

Abstract

A direct method for the synthesis of o-fluoronaphthols and o/p-fluorophenols has been developed by a catalytic ring expansion of indanones and 2-cyclopentenones, in which TMSCF₂Br was used as a unique :CF₂ source, a TMS transfer agent, as well as the Br⁻ and F⁻ releaser for the enolization, difluorocyclopropanation, desilylation, ring opening, defluorination, and aromatization sequence.