Asymmetric dearomatization of benzyl 1-naphthyl ethers via [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement.

A catalytic asymmetric dearomatization reaction of benzyl 1-naphthyl ethers accelerated by a chiral N , N '-dioxide/Co(II) complex is disclosed. The reaction proceeds via an enantioselective [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement through a tight ion-pair pathway, providing a wide array of α-naphthalenone derivatives bearing an all-carbon quaternary center in high yields with excellent ee values.