A highly regio- and stereoselective nickel-catalyzed ring-opening reaction of alkyl- and allylzirconium reagents to 7-oxabenzonorbornadienes

An efficient method for the synthesis of cis-2-alkyl- or allyl-1,2-dihydronaphythalenes through a nickel-catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective ring-opening addition of alkyl- or allylzirconium reagents to 7-oxabenzonorbornadienes is described. The alkylative ring-opening products from 7-oxabenzonorbornadienes underwent dehydration readily with HCl to afford the corresponding naphthalene derivatives in excellent yields.