In further development of this route we have found that lithiation of NJV-diethyl-8-methoxy-1- napthamide yields the 2-lithio derivative which reacts with 4 to yield 9 in 43% overall yield. All attempta at the reduction of 9 or 9a with LiAlH4 failed to yield the corresponding alcohol or al-dehyde. When refluxing THF was the solvent the ether group was cleaved and a mixture of unknown products was obtained. Attempts to prepare the acid chloride of 9 with ...