A review on synthesis of furonaphthoquinones through lawsone derivatives annulation reactions and their biological properties

Abstract

Furonaphthoquinones and their dihydro derivatives have attracted significant attention due to their diverse pharmacological activities. These compounds can be derived from natural sources, including various plants, or synthesized through chemical methods, resulting in a wide variety of structures with distinct biological properties. As a result, numerous methods have been developed over the past decades for the preparation of these compounds, particularly utilizing 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives as key precursors. Considering these concepts, this review aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the chemical synthesis of linear and angular furonaphthoquinones, along with their dihydro derivatives derived from 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones annulation reactions, and to explore their diverse biological activities.