Cross Redox Coupling of Aryl-Aldehydes and p-Benzoquinone

Synthesis of Acylhydroquinones through Visible-Light-Mediated Hydroacylation of Quinones with α-Keto Acids

A mild and eco-friendly visible-light-induced protocol for the hydroacylation of quinones with α-keto acids has been developed. In the absence of any catalyst or additive, the decarboxylative hydroacylation proceeded smoothly under visible-light irradiation at room temperature. A wide range of quinones and α-keto acids were well-tolerated and afforded hydroacylation products up to 88% isolated yield. The reaction can be scaled up, and the induced groups are useful for further synthetic applications. Preliminarily, mechanistic studies indicated that photoactive quinones absorb visible light to facilitate the transformation.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of aryl esters from p-benzoquinones and aryl triflates

A palladium-catalyzed dicarbonylation of p-benzoquinones with aryl triflates has been developed. Using Cr(CO)₆ as the CO source, the reaction proceeds smoothly and efficiently to give a series of aryl esters in moderate to good yields (up to 90%).

Copper-catalyzed α-C–H acyloxylation of carbonyl compounds with terminal alkynes

Herein, a copper/TBHP catalyst system for the α-C–H acyloxylation of carbonyl compounds is developed using terminal alkynes as the acyloxy source.