Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Naphthols via C-H Activation of Sulfoxonium Ylides.

Direct and efficient synthesis of 1-naphthols has been realized via Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation of sulfoxonium ylides and subsequent annulation with alkynes, where the sulfoxonium ylide functioned as a new traceless bifunctional directing group. This reaction occurred under redox-neutral conditions with a broad substrate scope.