Base-Promoted Direct Chalcogenylation of 2-Naphthols

The functionalisation of 2-naphthols and their derivatives has much importance because of their potential pharmaceutical and materials applications. In this context, this work presents a fast, cheap, and efficient method for direct chalcogenylation at position C1 of 2-naphthols promoted by simple bases. The mechanistic studies indicate an ionic mechanism, essentially an electrophilic aromatic substitution, with a key role played by atmospheric oxygen for regeneration of the diorganoyl dichalcogenides.