Friedel-Crafts alkylation of 2-naphthols with enamides and enethers induced by catalytic amount of triarylaminium salt

A novel and efficient regioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of 2-naphthols with electron-rich enamides or enethers initiated by catalytic amounts of stable radical cation triarylaminium salt has been developed. The processes occur under mild conditions.