Arylated naphthalenes were prepared by Suzuki–Miyaura reactions of the bis(triflate) of methyl 3,7-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate. The reactions proceeded with very good site-selectivity in favor of the sterically less hindered position 7, despite the proximity of position 3 to the electron-withdrawing ester group which plays a decisive role for the site-selectivity of Suzuki–Miyaura reactions of related substrates.
Key words
catalysis - palladium - Suzuki–Miyaura reaction - naphthalenes - site-selectivity