Synthesis of 2-naphthylacrylamides and 2-naphthylacrylates via homogeneous catalytic carbonylation of 1-iodo-1-naphthylethene derivatives

Two highly reactive iodoalkenes (1-iodo-1-(2-naphthyl)ethene and 1-iodo-1-(1-naphthyl)ethene) were prepared from the corresponding acetonaphthone isomers via their hydrazones and used as substrates in palladium-catalysed carbonylations. Both iodoalkenyl substrates proved to be highly reactive in the presence of various N-nucleophiles and the corresponding N-substituted naphthylacrylamides were formed chemoselectively in nearly quantitative yields. High isolated yields (up to 93%) were achieved with all types of amines under mild reaction conditions. The alkoxycarbonylation of the above iodoalkenes resulted in esters of unexpectedly good isolated yields (up to 77%).