Synthesis of naphthalene-substituted aromatic esters via Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H bond naphthylation and cascade directing group transformation

Abstract

A regioselective Rh(III)-catalyzed C–H bond naphthylation and cascade directing group (DG) transformation has been realized with aryl imidates and oxa bicyclic alkenes. Diverse naphthalene-substituted aromatic esters were synthesized fruitfully. The DG transformation into ester endows the strategy with chances of further C–H bond functionalization and derivatization. Preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrate that the ester carbonyl oxygen possibly originates from the corresponding oxa bicyclic alkene.