Acetic Acid → 5-Chloro-2,3-dimethoxynaphthalene-1,4-dione

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of sodium nitrite (0.69 g, 10 mmol) in water (5 ml) was added at 0°-5° C. to a solution of 5-amino-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1.17 g, 5 mmol) in 5:1 acetic acid:water (25 ml) containing concentrated hydrochloric acid (1.7 ml). A further quantity of sodium nitrite (0.69 g) was then added to the reaction mixture after cooling to -5° C., followed by a solution of cuprous chloride (0.6 g) in concentrated hydrochloric acid (5 ml). The mixture was allowed to warm to 22° C. and solid cuprous chloride was added portionwise until the mixture assumed a green color. Water was then added to the reaction mixture and the precipitated yellow-solid filtered off, washed with water and recrystallized from methanol:water (2:1) giving 1.01 g of 5-chloro-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, mp 120°-121° C.

Provenance & Evidence