Syntheses of 1,2,3-functionalized naphthols and phenols by decarboxylative cycloaddition/aromatization reactions of α-oxygenated lactones with allenoates or electron-deficient alkynes

Abstract

Base-mediated reactions between hydroxypyrones or isochroman-3,4-diones and allenoates or butynoates allow for the direct synthesis of various 1,2,3-substituted phenols and naphthols under mild conditions. These transformations are proposed to proceed first via a [4 + 2]-cycloaddition of the starting materials, followed by an immediate decarboxylation/re-aromatization process.