Rh-Catalyzed Aminative Dearomatization of Naphthols with Hydroxylamine-O-Sulfonic Acid (HOSA)

An efficient Rh-catalyzed aminative dearomatization of naphthols was achieved. In the presence of Rh-2(esp)(2) and HOSA as an inexpensive and readily available aminating reagent, a series of unprotected alpha-amino-beta-naphthalenones was afforded in good yields under mild reaction conditions. This reaction features good tolerance of functional groups and multi mmol-scale reaction.