N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Monoacylation of 1,4-Naphthoquinones with Aldehydes

The NHC-catalyzed conjugate hydroacylation of 1,4-naphthoquinones allows for the synthesis of monoacylated 1,4-dihydroxynaphthalene derivatives. These targets, difficult to prepare selectively by standard protocols, represent important intermediates in the elaboration of highly substituted 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives, which constitute relevant pharmaceutical scaffolds. High regioselectivity has been observed in the hydroacylation reaction when starting from nonsymmetrical quinones.Projects UCM-BSCH GR58/08-910815 and CTQ2006-15279-C03-01 (both to A.G.C), and SAF2006-04698 (to M.T.M.), are gratefully acknowledged for financial support.Peer reviewe