Ortho-Ester-Substituted Diaryliodonium Salts Enabled Regioselective Cyclization of Naphthols toward 3,4-Benzocoumarins

Cyclic annulation involving diaryliodonium salts is an efficient tool for the construction of two or more chemical bonds in a one-pot process. Ortho -functionalized diaryliodonium salts have showcased distinct reactivity in the exploration of benzocyclization or arylocyclization. With this strategy of ortho-ester substituted diaryliodonium salts, herein, we utilized a copper catalyst to activate the C-I bonds of diaryliodonium salts in the generation of aryl radicals, thus resulting in an annulation reaction with naphthols and substituted phenols. This approach yielded a diverse array of 3,4-benzocoumarin derivatives bearing various substituents.