Cinchona alkaloid derivatives catalyzed asymmetric aza-Friedel–crafts reaction of α-naphthols with aryl aldimines

Cinchona alkaloid derivatives as organocatalysts were applied in the asymmetric aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction of α-naphthol with aryl aldimines. The desired chiral aminoarylnaphthols were obtained in 85% enantiomeric excess.