Cycloaromatization of α-oxoketene dithioacetals and β-oxodithioacetals with benzyl-,1-(naphthylmethyl) and 2-(naphthylmethyl)magnesium halides: Synthesis of condensed polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)86411-5

An efficient route for the synthesis of substituted naphthalenes, phenanthrenes and other polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons has been developed. The methodology involves 1,2- (or sequential 1,4- and 1,2-) addition of either benzyl, 1-(naphthylmethyl) or 2-(naphthylmethyl) magnesium halides to α-oxoketene dithioacetals or β-oxodithioacetals followed by borontrifluoride etherate catalyzed cycloaromatization of the resulting carbinols.