Construction of the Benzomesembrine Skeleton: Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Intermolecular Arylative Dearomatization of α-Naphthols and Subsequent Aza-Michael Reaction

A novel palladium(0)-catalyzed intermolecular arylative dearomatization of alpha-naphthols and subsequent aza-Michael reaction is described. Two adjacent stereocenters were constructed efficiently through consecutive arylative dearomatization and Michael addition reactions. By utilizing this method, structurally diverse benzomesembrine derivatives were synthesized with excellent yields and chemoselectivity. The benzomesembrine products were shown to undergo versatile functional-group transformations.