Concise Synthesis of 1-Naphthols under Mild Conditions through a Copper-Catalyzed Arylation of Methyl Ketones

A concise synthesis of 1-naphthols via cyclization of o-iodoacetophenones and methyl ketones has been realized under very mild conditions. The cyclization process is initiated by a rare copper-catalyzed arylation of simple methyl ketones with ortho-iodoacetophenones.