Total synthesis of parvaquone and the serendipitous discovery of a novel chromium-mediated method for β-lactone formation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(96)06764-2

During attempts to synthesise the 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, parvaquone, 1, a novel chromium-mediated method for the synthesis of functionalised β-lactones from propargyl alcohols has been discovered. Additionally, using both dry state and ultrasound conditions, the total synthesis of parvaquone (1) has been achieved; the most efficient techniques deliver this target compound in up to 46% overall yield over, as low as, two synthetic processes.