An Efficient Route to Tetrahydronaphthols via Addition of Ortho-Lithiated Stilbene Oxides to α,β-Unsaturated Fischer Carbene Complexes

[reaction: see text] A stereoselective/stereospecific synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydronaphthols based on the Michael addition of ortho-lithiated stilbene oxides to alpha,beta-unsaturated Fischer carbene complexes followed by an unusual cyclization of the corresponding intermediate in a 6-endo-tet mode is described.