Regioselective benzoyloxylative dearomatization of naphthols by benzoyl peroxide under catalyst-free conditions

A direct regioselective benzoyloxylative dearomatization of both α- and β-naphthols by benzoyl peroxide under an air atmosphere, and radical inhibitor- and catalyst-free conditions at room temperature is described. The methodology provides a new efficient strategy for the construction of α-ketol derivatives bearing an oxo-quaternary carbon center from naphthols with good to excellent yields. We present herein a direct regioselective benzoyloxylative dearomatization of both α- and β-naphthols by aryl peroxide to construct α-ketol derivatives under air atmosphere, and radical inhibitor- and catalyst-free conditions at room temperature.