Oxidative free radical reactions between 2-amino-1,4-benzoquinones and carbonyl compounds

The manganese(III) initiated oxidative free radical reactions of 2-amino-1,4-benzoquinone are described. The free radical reaction of 5,6-dimethyl-2-methylamino-1,4-benzoquinone (1) provides a novel method for the synthesis of indole-4,7-dione and indole-2,4,7-trione. High chemoselectivity was observed in different solvents. The regioselectivity of this reaction was also studied with 5-methyl-2-methylamino-1,4-benzoquinone (19). In most cases, indole-4,7-diones 20 and 21 were produced in high regioselectivity.