Photochemical hydroxylation of 1-methyl-9,10-anthraquinones: synthesis of 9'-hydroxyaloesaponarin II

Photolysis reaction of 1-methyl-9,10-anthraquinones is performed in the presence of oxygen to obtain endoperoxides that could be reduced to produce 1-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinones. The photochemical hydroxylation could also be used for total synthesis of a naturally occurring polyketide, 9'-hydroxyaloesaponarin II.