Abstract
2-(9-Hydroxynonyl)-5,6-dimethoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone was readily synthesized
from commercially available 3,4,5-trimethoxytoluene in two steps. First, 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone
(coenzyme Q0) was obtained in one step by treatment of 3,4,5-trimethoxytoluene with hydrogen peroxide
under metal-free conditions, followed by free-radical alkylation with 10-hydroxydecanoic
acid in the presence of potassium peroxodisulfate and silver nitrate in a mixed solvent
(MeCN–H2O, 1:1) to afford the title compound in good yields (60%, based on coenzyme Q0).
Key words
coenzyme Q
0
- decarboxylative cross-coupling - idebenone analogue - free-radical alkylation
