Silica Gel Catalyzed Stereoselective Conversion of Dialkyl 2-(3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)-3-(triphenylphosphoranylidene) butanedioates to Dialkyl 2-(3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)-2-butenedioates in Solvent-Free Conditions

Protonation of the highly reactive 1:1 intermediates, produced in the reaction between triphenylphosphine and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, by 1-hydroxy-2-acetonaphthone leads to vinyltriphenylphosphonium salts, which undergo aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction with conjugate base to produce dialkyl 2-(3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)-3-(triphenylphosphoranylidene) butanedioates. Silica gel was found to catalyze conversion of dialkyl 2-(3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)-3-(triphenylphosphoranylidene) butanedioates to dialkyl 2-(3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)-2-butenedioates in solvent-free conditions at 90°;C in fairly good yields.