Nucleophilic dearomatization of chloromethyl naphthalene derivatives via η3-benzylpalladium intermediates: a new strategy for catalytic dearomatization.

Palladium-catalyzed nucleophilic dearomatization of chloromethyl naphthalene derivatives to produce ortho- or para-substituted carbocycles in satisfactory to excellent yields has been developed. The unprecedented dearomatization reactions proceeded smoothly under mild conditions via η(3)-benzylpalladium intermediates.