Synthesis of Fluorenone and Anthraquinone Derivatives from Aryl- and Aroyl-Substituted Propiolates

Abstract

Fluorenone derivatives were generated from aryl-substituted propiolates via a cobalt-catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction/DDQ-oxidation and Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization. Several functional groups are tolerated, and good to excellent overall yields (up to 89%) could be achieved. For the synthesis of anthraquinone derivatives, aroyl-substituted propiolates were applied in a zinc iodide catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction with 1,3-dienes. The subsequent DDQ oxidation and Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization led to symmetrical as well as some unsymmetrical anthraquinones in good to excellent yields of up to 87% over the three-step reaction sequence.