Photochemical syntheses of amino- and hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones with high selectivity

Abstract

A new route to amino- and hydroxy-naphthoquinones has been developed by the photochemical reaction of 5-aminonaphthoquinones with alkylamines. The regioselective syntheses of 8-alkylamino-5-aminonaphthoquinones were achieved under nitrogen in 90% yield. The selective and high yielding syntheses of 8-hydroxy-5-aminonaphthoquinones were achieved under aerated conditions using t-butylamine as a good oxygen carrier.