Oxidative Coupling of Quinones and Aromatic Compounds by Palladium(II) Acetate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00350a023

The oxidation of 1,4-benzoquinone, 2-phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 1,4-naphthoquinone, and 1,2-naphthoquinone by palladium(II) acetate in acetic acid containing arenes gave the corresponding aryl-sustituted quinones.Treatment of 1,4-naphthoquinone with aromatic heterocycles such as furfural, 2-acetylfuran, methyl 2-furoate, 2-acetylthiophene, 1-(phenylsulfonyl)pyrrole, 1-(phenylsulfonyl)indole, 4-pyrone, and 1-methyl-2-pyridone in the presence of palladium acetate gave the corresponding 2-heteroaryl-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones.