Metal-free oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinones with benzylic C(sp 3 )-H bonds.

A metal-free cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinones with toluene derivatives has been established. A series of quinones were subjected to reaction with toluene derivatives in the presence of di-tertbutyl peroxide (DTBP) for direct synthesis of benzylquinones. The method exhibits good functional group tolerance, and desired products were obtained in moderate to good yields. Meanwhile, a radical pathway was proposed to describe the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinones with toluene derivatives.
Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare.
(This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)