Efficient catalytic-free method to produce α-aryl cycloalkanones through highly chemoselective coupling of aryl compounds with oxyallyl cations

Catalytic-free coupling of aryl compounds and alpha-halo cycloketones via in situ generated oxyallyl cation intermediates is reported here. The reactions efficiently afford alpha-naphthol cycloalkanones with moderate to excellent yields. Electron-rich aromatic compounds are also used to produce the corresponding alpha-aryl cycloalkanones, and in some cases, analytically pure products are obtained after simple filtration followed by evaporation.