Abstract The opening of the pyranone ring in 2H-naphtho [1, 2-b] pyran-2-one derivative (1) and 3H-naphtho [2, 1-b]-pyran-3-one derivatives 8 and 20 with nucleophiles afforded 3- (naphthyl-1)-and 3-(naphthyl-2) propenoates (substituted β-naphthyl-α, β-dehydro-α-amino acid derivatives) 7, 13, 14, 15, 24, and 35.