Hydrochloric Acid → Idebenone acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of potassium nitrosodisulfonate (0.8 part) in water (10 volume parts) was added to a solution of 10-(2'-hydroxy-3', 4'-dimethoxy-6'-methylphenyl)decanoic acid (formula II-2 wherein R=H3CO, X=H, Y=OH, n=8, in the free form) (0.097 part) in a mixture of 1% sodium hydroxide (0.67 volume part) and acetone (2 volume parts) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was rendered acidic with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted with diethyl ether. The extract was washed with water and dried, followed by evaporation to dryness. The procedure provided 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-(9'-carboxynonyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (formula I-2 wherein R=H3CO, n=8, in the free form) (0.099 part) as orange-colored needles melting at 59°-60.5° C.

Provenance & Evidence