Aromatic Amine and Chiral Phosphoric Acid Synergistic Catalyzed Cascade Reaction of Alkynylnaphthols with Aldehydes

Org Lett. 2024 Feb 23;26(7):1489-1494. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c00172. Epub 2024 Feb 15.

Abstract

A novel approach using aromatic amines and chiral phosphoric acids in a synergistic catalytic cascade reaction of 2-alkynylnaphthols with aldehydes has been established. This method offers a direct route to preparing flavanone analogues with excellent stereoselectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal a sequential process involving addition, elimination, cyclization, and hydrolysis in which aromatic amines and chiral phosphoric acids play key roles via imine-enamine and hydrogen bonding models.