Reduction of ortho-quinones to dihydrodiols
Abstract
1,2-Naphthaquinone, 5-bromo-1,2-naphthaquinone and dibenz[a,h]anthracene-3,4-quinone in the form of dibromo-intermediates were reduced to a mixture of cis- and trans-diols by the action of sodium borohydride in ethanol. An alternative synthesis of trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrodibenz[a,h]anthracene is also reported.