Progress towards metal-free radical alkylations of quinones under mild conditions

A new method for the radical alkylation of quinones is reported. Lewis basic nitrogen additives increase the efficacy of quinone alkylations from carboxylic acids using catalytic AgNO₃ and Selectfluor as a mild oxidant. Electrochemical data suggests that certain Lewis basic additives are capable of directly reducing Selectfluor through a single-electron transfer, presumably via a charge-transfer complex. This process yields intermediates capable of promoting oxidative decarboxylation of alkyl carboxylic acids without an added metal initiator. Using this strategy, we have demonstrated progress towards a metal-free C–H quinone alkylation reaction that proceeds at room temperature under mild conditions.