The Synthesis of Hydronaphthalenes from m-Toluic Acid via Cyclization of Thioacetal Monosulfoxides

We recently developed a convenient route to hexahydronaphthalenols such as 5 (R=CO₂CH₃ or CH₃) starting from m-toluic acid (1)¹. The key features of the route involved reduction-alkylation of the toluic acid to the dihydro derivative 2 ², subsequent deprotection and oxidation of the side chain primary alcohol, and acid-catalyzed cyclization of the resulting aldehyde 4. In the case of the dimethylnaphthalenols 5 (R=CH₃), conversion of the angular carboxylic function to the methyl group was effected prior to cyclization via reduction of the p-toluenesulfonic ester of the neopentyl alcohol 3 (R=CH₂OH) using lithium triethylborohydride³.