Activated Carbon-Promoted Dehydrogenation of Hydroquinones to Benzoquinones, Naphthoquinones, and Anthraquinones under Molecular Oxygen Atmosphere.

We found that the activated carbon-molecular oxygen system promotes the conversion of hydroquinones to benzoquinones, naphthoquinones, and anthraquinones, which are often found in natural products and pharmaceuticals. In particular, the one-pot synthesis of naphthoquinones and anthraquinones involving a Diels-Alder reaction is a useful protocol for this purpose.