Dearomatization reaction of β-naphthols with disulfurating reagents.

A p-TsOH-catalyzed intermolecular dearomatization reactions of β-naphthols with disulfurating reagents were developed. Various β-naphthalenones bearing a quaternary carbon stereogenic center were obtained smoothly in good to excellent yields with high chemoselectivity in the presence of 5 mol% p-TsOH. This reaction features mild reaction conditions and excellent functional group tolerance.