Rational design of naphthoquinone-based antibacterial agents through iridium-catalyzed enantioselective β-allenylation of 2-hydroxynaphthoquinones

The first Ir-catalyzed enantioselective β-allenylation of 2-hydroxynaphthoquinones is developed. The β-allenylic lawsone derivatives displayed remarkable potency against Gram-positive MRSA strain and low toxicity against mammalian cell lines.