Thiazolium salt-catalyzed C-C triple bond cleavage for accessing substituted 1-naphthols via benzannulation

The first thiazolium salt-catalyzed C-C triple bond cleavage of benzene-linked allene-ynes has been established. The reaction pathway involves [2+2] cycloaddition and ring-opening of in situ generated cyclobutenes with H2O under mild and convenient conditions, and provides practical access to substituted 1-naphthols with potentially valuable applications.