Tetralones as precursors for the synthesis of 2,2′-disubstituted 1,1′-binaphthyls and related compounds

Using tetralones as starting materials, the synthesis of biaryl compounds is described in this paper. The tetralones were initially converted into 1-bromo-3,4-dihydro-2-naphthalenecarbaldehydes before effecting aromatization into the corresponding naphthalenes. These products were then subjected to Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions, with a variety of aromatic boronic acids containing substituents in the ortho position, to afford biaryl compounds. The biaryl compounds possess heteroatom containing substituents ortho to the newly formed biaryl axis.