To a solution of naphthalene-1,2-dione (3.2 g, 2.02 mmol) and tert-butyl 4-hydroxy-4-(mercaptomethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (5.0 g, 2.02 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (400 ml) was added triethylamine (2.82 ml, 2.02 mmol). The reaction mixture was allowed to stir for 1 hour at room temperature and the solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by flash column chromatography (SiO2, 40% EtOAc in hexanes to 70% EtOAc in hexanes). Fractions containing the product were concentrated and tritrated with ethyl acetate/ether to afford the desired product as a red solid (2.4 g, 29%). M.p.=156-157° C.; 400 MHz 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ: 8.17-8.12 (m, 1H), 7.87-7.83 (m, 1H), 7.69-7.62 (m, 1H), 7.59-7.52 (m, 1H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 4.0-3.85 (m, 2H), 3.25-3.14 (m, 4H), 1.84-1.78 (m, 2H), 1.76-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H); LCMS: 404 [M+H].
