| abstract |
A method of forming 6-substituted-2-vinyl naphthalene from a 2-substituted naphthalene compound wherein the substituent in the 2-position is an ortho-para directing electron-donating group not reactive with hydrogen fluoride, comprises contacting the naphthalene compound and an acylating agent with substantially anhydrous hydrogen fluoride to acylate the naphthalene compound to a 6-substituted-2-acylnaphthalene compound, hydrogenating the 6-substituted-2-acylnaphthalene compound to convert the 2-acyl substituent to an alcohol substituent, dehydrating the product of hydrogenation in the presence of a free radical inhibitor to convert the alcohol substituent to an olefinic substituent, and isolating the formed 6-substituted-2-vinylnaphthalene subsequent to the dehydration. |