7,8-Dioxochlorpromazine,synthesis and properties

7,8-Dihydroxychlorpromazine and 2-chloro-7,8-dihydroxyphenothiazine were converted to the corresponding 7,8-dioxo compounds by oxidation with tetrachloro-o-quinone. Spectral properties indicate that the 7,8-dioxo compounds exist in zwitterionic forms reminiscent of aminochromes. The 7,8-dioxochlorpromazine is proposed as a possible metabolite of chlorpromazine.