Diastereodifferentiating photodimerization of alkyl 2-naphthoates with chiral auxiliaries

Photodimerization of alkyl 2-naphthoates with chiral auxiliaries resulted in cubane-like anti head-to-head photodimers in 93% yield and with up to 59% diastereomeric excess. After removal of the chiral auxiliaries enantiomers of cubane-like photodimer of 2-naphthalene carboxylic acid were obtained in 80% yield.