REGIOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF HIGHLY SUBSTITUTED NAPHTHOLS

2,3,4-Trisubstituted 4-hydroxy-2-cyclobutenones, prepared by regiospec ific synthesis of substituted cyclobutenediones, undergo Lewis acid fa cilitated ionization to cyclobutenyl cations, which are trapped by tri alkylsilanes in a regioselective sense. Thermolysis of the resulting c yclobutenones affords phenols in high yields.