One-pot access to 2-naphthols and benzofurans via the aerobic Wacker-type oxidation/intramolecular aldol cyclization

An aerobic Wacker-type oxidation/intramolecular aldol cyclization synthetic route toward two oxygenated 2-naphthols 3 and benzofurans 4 starting with skeleton 2 with good yields is described. The route has been carried by the one-pot transformation of the regioselective PdCl2/CuCl2-mediated Wacker oxidative cyclization of skeleton 2 with molecular oxygen under the alkaline methanolic condition. Skeleton 2 was prepared from skeleton 1 in moderate total yields via the known protocol.