Synthesis of novel 2-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones using Heck reaction in 'green' reaction media

Abstract

1,4-Naphthoquinones have been known to possess a wide spectrum of biological activities such as antidiabetic, antibacterial, antimalarial, anticancer and antifungal activities. An efficient, environmentally friendly two step process for synthesizing various 2-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones is described, starting from 2-bromonaphthalene and olefinic substrates using the Heck reaction in an ionic liquid (IL) followed by oxidation. It provides for a rapid and "green" methodology for the synthesis of the biologically active 2-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones. ©ARKAT.