A Simple Procedure for Preparing Annulated p-Benzoquinones. Improved Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene-5,8-dione

A simple and efficient two-step, one-pot synthesis of substituted 1,4-dihydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene-5,8-diones is reported. This synthesis, which utilizes readily available starting materials and inexpensive reagents, can be used to prepare 1a-1c in 70–90% overall yield. This procedure was extended successfully to prepare a more highly complex annulated p-benzoquinone i.e., 8.