Visible-Light-Promoted Oxidative Annulation of Naphthols and Alkynes: Synthesis of Functionalized Naphthofurans

A visible-light-mediated site-selective oxidative annulation of naphthols with alkynes for the synthesis of functionalized naphthofurans has been developed. The reaction relies on the in situ formation of an electron donor acceptor pair between phenylacetylene and thiophenol as the light-absorbing system to obviate the requirement of an added photocatalyst. The protocol facilitates the transformation of 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol as well as 1,4-naphthoquinone into a wide variety of highly functionalized naphthofurans.

Automated summary

A visible-light-mediated site-selective oxidative annulation method was developed for the synthesis of functionalized naphthofurans by reacting naphthols with alkynes. The protocol utilizes an electron donor acceptor pair between phenylacetylene and thiophenol as a light-absorbing system, eliminating the need for an added photocatalyst. This method allows for the transformation of various types of naphthols and naphthoquinones into highly functionalized naphthofurans.