Regiospecific synthesis of novel cyclic nitrostyrenes and 3-substituted 2-nitronaphthalenes

A two-step, practical, regiospecific, and readily scalable benzannulation protocol for the preparation of novel 3-alkyl- and 3-aryl-substituted 2-nitronaphthalenes is disclosed. Addition of a β-nitrostyrene or nitroalkene to a solution of freshly prepared lithiated o-tolualdehyde tert-butyl imine first leads to the formation of a nitronate, via rapid 1,4-addition, then an intramolecular aza-Henry reaction takes place to afford a six-membered carbocycle. Subsequent treatment of the reaction mixture with aqueous acid affords novel substituted cyclic nitrostyrenes that can be conveniently aromatized via a one-pot radical-induced bromination and elimination sequence to furnish the corresponding 3-alkyl- or 3-aryl-2-nitronaphthalenes in excellent yields. The straightforward syntheses of 2-aminonaphthalenes, substituted BINAMs, 2-naphthols as well as tricyclic fused 1,2,3-triazoles are also described.