Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Dearomative Azidation of β-Naphthols

The first example of copper-catalyzed enantioselective dearomative azidation of β-naphthols using a readily available N₃-transfer reagent is reported. A series of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthamides bearing a complex N-substituent were converted to the corresponding products in high yields with up to 96% ee, and chiral 1-azido-2-hydroxy-1-naphthoates were obtained with up to 90% ee under mild reaction conditions. The azides could be further transformed into the corresponding 1,2,3-triazoles smoothly via "click" reaction.