An alternative synthetic path to 1-substituted 2-naphthol

The photoinduced substitution of the 2-naphthoxide anion was carried out using diethylphosphite, benzenethiolate or 2-naphthalenethiolate anions in the presence of an electron acceptor. The corresponding products were afforded in good yield. This is a simple and convenient approach, which involves the use of 2-naphthol without a leaving group for the synthesis of C1-substituted derivatives.