Ruthenium-catalyzed isomerization of 7-oxanorbornadienes into naphthols was investigated. Among the various ruthenium catalysts tested, [RuCl(2)(CO)(3)](2) gave the highest yields in the isomerization, and various substituted naphthols were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical 7-oxanorbornadienes were employed in the study, and moderate to excellent regioselectivities were observed.

Rhodium-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of a 3-aza-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene with arylboronic acids were investigated. The use of [RhCl(COD)](2), (+/-)-BINAP, and NaHCO(3) in MeOH at 60 degrees C was found to be the optimized conditions for the ring-opening reactions to give the 1,2-ring-opened products. Various arylboronic acids were examined, and low to moderate yields were obtained and stereoselectivities (trans/cis) from 50:50 to 100:0 were observed.

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