Iridium catalyzed alkylation of 2′-hydroxyacetophenone with alcohols under thermal or microwave conditions

2'-Hydroxyacetophenone was alkylated with a range of substituted benzyl and heteroaryl alcohols to afford the corresponding C-alkylated products in good yields under microwave irradiation. The C-alkylated products were reacted with bromoacetonitrile to afford 2-amino-3-benzyl 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives in moderate yields. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.