Oxidation Of 1-(2-Hydroxybenzyl)-2-Naphthols

Condensation of salicyl alcohol with 2-naphthols (9a-d) furnishes 1-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-napthols (6a-d). Methylation of 6a gives the dimethyl ether 11, which has also been prepared by Grignard reaction of 2-methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide with 2-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde followed by reduction with AlCl3-LiAlH4. Compounds 6a-d undergo facile oxidation with either K3Fe(CN)6 or KOBr to give spironaphthalenones 12a-d. Surprisingly, no reaction occurs with either DDQ or o-chloranil.