Cobalt(ii)-catalyzed peri-C(sp2)–H selective hydroxylation of naphthalene monoimides

Abstract

Reported herein is an efficient and eco-friendly peri-selective monohydroxylation of naphthalene monoimides (NMIs) to access 4-hydroxy NMIs, which possess multidisciplinary applications. The key aspect of this method is the utilization of cobalt(II)-catalysis via a single electron transfer mechanism to achieve site-selective C(sp²)-hydroxylation. Transformation of the hydroxyl group into pseudohalides reveals its applications towards cross-coupling reactions.