Expedient synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoquinolines and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones via one-pot aryne acyl-alkylation/condensation.

A convenient method is disclosed for the synthesis of both 3-hydroxyisoquinolines and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones from beta-ketoesters using a one-pot aryne acyl-alkylation/condensation procedure. When performed in conjunction with a one-step method for the synthesis of the beta-ketoester substrates, this method provides a new route to these polyaromatic structures in only two steps from commercially available carboxylic acid starting materials. The utility of this approach is demonstrated in the synthesis of the atropisomeric P,N-ligand, QUINAP.