A convenient synthesis of 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propenoic acid (a naproxen precursor)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)01900-3

The title compound has been synthesised via the quantitative hydrocabonylation of the corresponding 1-alkyne in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The reaction proceeds at best under 30 bar of CO, but for the purposes of a laboratory scale synthesis it can be carried out successfully even at atmospheric pressure.