Mechanism of intramolecular catalysis in the hydrolysis of alkyl monoesters of 1,8-naphthalic acid

Hydrolysis of alkyl 1,8-naphthalic acid monoesters 1a-d is subject to highly efficient intramolecular nucleophilic catalysis by the neighboring COOH group. The reactivity for the COOH reaction depends on the leaving group pK(a), with values of beta(LG) of -0.50, consistent with a mechanism involving rate determining breakdown of tetrahedral addition intermediates. The release of the steric strain of the peri-substitiuents in the highly reactive alkyl 1,8-naphthalic acid monoesters is fundamental to understand the observed special reactivity in this intramolecular reaction. DFT calculations show how the proton transfers involved in the cleavage of the neutral ester can be catalyzed by solvent water, thus facilitating the departure of poor alkoxide leaving groups.