AgNO3-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction: an approach to coenzyme Q

Abstract

An efficient and general method for the synthesis of coenzyme Q compounds through the activation of the 1,4-benzoquinone C_sp²–H bond has been developed. This C–C bond formation reaction proceeds readily in an open flask by the direct cross-coupling reaction of coenzyme Q₀ with commercially available aliphatic carboxylic acids utilizing AgNO₃ as a catalyst and K₂S₂O₈ as an oxidant in aqueous solution. This radical reaction is operationally simple and amenable to gram-scale synthesis.