Synthesis of 1,3-aminonaphthols by diastereoselective Betti-type aminoalkylation of dihydroxy naphthalenes; diastereoselectivity, absolute configuration, and application

Dihydroxy naphthalenes have been applied in Betti-type solventless condensation between aldehydes and (S)-phenylethylamine as a chiral auxiliary. A series of chiral 1,3-aminonaphthols has been synthesized and isolated in diastereoisomerically pure form. The absolute configurations of the aminonaphthols synthesized have been determined by means of advanced NMR experiments and confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The new chiral aminonaphthols have been tested as pre-catalysts for the addition of diethyl zinc and alkynyl-Zn-reagents to aldehydes with enantioselectivities of up to 98% ee. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.