Photochemical hydroxylation of anthracene-9,10-dione in sulphuric acid solution

Abstract

Near u.v. irradiation of anthracene-9,10-dione in deoxygenated 96% H₂SO₄ generates the sulphate ester of 2-hydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione in high yield along with the 1-hydroxy isomer and the novel reduction products anthracen-9(10H)-one and 9,9′-bianthracene-10,10′(9H,9′H)-dione; contrary to previous results, the product distribution and the rate of reaction are dependent upon the concentration of O₂ in the solution.