Electrosynthesis of 2-Methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (Vitamin K3) Directly from 2-Methyl-5,8-dihydro-1,4-naphthalenediol by a Four-electron Oxidation Procedure

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.55.1673

A straightforward synthesis of Vitamin K₃ was performed by electrolysis of 2-methyl-5,8-dihydro-1,4-naphthalenediol in a MeCN-t-BuOH (9/1)-LiClO4-(Pt or C electrodes) system.The use of perchlorate salts or tetrafluoroborate salts as supporting electrolytes in various electrolysis systems, such as AcOH-t-BuOH (9/1)-LiClO4-(Pt) and AcOEt-t-BuOH (9/1)-Bu4NClO4-(Pt), also provided good results, while the use of Et4NOTs in MeOH afforded 2-methyl-5,8-dihydro-1,4-naphthoquinone, preferentially.