Cu(I)-catalyzed asymmetric oxidative cross-coupling of 2-naphthol derivatives

The asymmetric oxidative coupling reaction between 2-naphthol or binaphthol derivatives and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate derivatives with the copper(I)-(S)-(−)-isopropylidenebis(4-phenyl-2-oxazoline) catalyst was carried out. The reaction proceeded in a highly cross-coupling selective manner (≤99.7%) to produce the binaphthyl or quaternaphthyl derivative in good yield (≤92%) with enantioselectivity of up to 74%.