Oxidative coupling of 2-substituted 1,2-dihydro-1-naphthols using Jones reagent: a simple entry into 3,3′-disubstituted 1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-diols

2-Substituted 1,2-dihydro-1-naphthols underwent regioselective oxidative dimerization, when treated with Jones reagent, to furnish 3,3′-disubstituted 1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-diols. A series of symmetrical binaphthols were prepared and it was shown that the coupling reaction proceeds via the sequential oxidation of 2-substituted 1,2-dihydro-1-naphthols to 2-substituted 1-naphthols, which oxidatively dehydrodimerized.