Dimethylformamide → Idebenone

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a dimethylformamide solution (100 ml) of 6-(10-hydroxydecyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylphenol (4.1 g) is added bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)ethylenediiminocobalt(II) (0.2 g) and the mixture is stirred in oxygen streams at atmospheric temperature and pressure for 72 hours. After the reaction has been completed, the solvent is distilled off and the residue is extracted with ether. The ethereal layer is washed with water and dried, and the solvent is distilled off in the conventional manner. The crude crystals thus obtained are recrystallized from ethyl acetate-hexane (1:3). The above procedure yields 6-(10-hydroxydecyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (3.77 g) as orange-yellow needles melting at 52° C.-53° C.

Provenance & Evidence