Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective peri- and ortho-Halogenation of 1-Naphthaldehydes: Application to the Synthesis of Polycyclic Natural Product Skeletons

Herein, a regioselective bromination or chlorination reaction of 1-naphthaldehydes is described. Without additive, the palladium-catalyzed C−H halogenation showed a C8-regioselectivity, whereas the formation of an aromatic imine intermediate allowed a switch to a C2-reactivity. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations were performed to explain the regioselectivity and the synthesized halogenated products were used as key building blocks to access polycyclic natural product skeletons.