Catalytic Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Reactions of Naphthols and Electron-Rich Phenols

Abstract

The enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction is a powerful tool for the construction of benzylic stereocenters in a stereodefined manner. Significant advances have already been achieved with heteroarenes such as indoles and pyrroles; however, the reaction with homoarenes is less developed. This short review covers the most relevant literature on enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reactions with naphthols and phenols. 1 Introduction 2 Friedel–Crafts Reactions Involving 1,2-Nucleophilic Addition to C=X Bonds 3 Friedel–Crafts Reactions Involving Conjugate Nucleophilic Addition to Electrophilic C=C Bonds 4 Friedel–Crafts Reactions Involving π-Allylic Complexes as Electrophiles 5 <i>ipso</i>-Friedel–Crafts Reactions 6 Conclusions