Asymmetric Dearomatization of ß-Naphthols through a Bifunctional-Thiourea-Catalyzed Michael Reaction.

An intermolecular asymmetric dearomatization reaction of ß-naphthols with nitroethylene through a chiral-thiourea-catalyzed Michael reaction is described. Enantioenriched functionalized ß-naphthalenones with an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center could thus be easily constructed from simple naphthol derivatives in good yields and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 79% yield, 98% ee).