Ruthenium-Catalyzed Hydroxyl-Directed peri-Selective C–H Activation and Annulation of 1-Naphthols with CF3–Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides for the Synthesis of 2-(Trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzodechromen-2-amines

A ruthenium-catalyzed peri-selective C–H activation and annulation of 1-naphthols with CF3-substituted imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides that uses hydroxyl as a weakly coordinating directing group is disclosed. The strategy provides a facile and practical route to diverse trifluoromethyl-containing 2,3-dihydrobenzodechromen-2-amines with high efficiency. Notable advantages of this protocol include readily available materials, excellent regioselectivity, good functional group compatibility, and scalability.