Novel synthesis of 2,2-dialkyl-3-dialkylamino-2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans

2,2-Dialkyl-3-dialkylamino-2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans were prepared from 2-naphthol, a secondary amine, and 3-hydroxy-2,2-dialkylpropanal in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid. This one-pot reaction involves retro-aldol disintegration of 3-hydroxy-2,2-dialkylpropanal followed by formation of a Mannich base intermediate from 2-naphthol, a secondary amine, and formaldehyde (retro-aldol product). This Mannich base then disproportionates into a quinone methide intermediate and the secondary amine is regenerated. It then forms an enamine intermediate with 2,2-dialkylacetaldehyde (another retro-aldol product). Finally, the quinone methide intermediate undergoes electrocyclic ring closure with enamines to produce the title compounds.