Chromium(VI) oxide-catalyzed oxidation of arenes with periodic acid

Chromium(VI) oxide was found to catalyze the oxidation of arenes such as naphthalenes and anthrathene to the corresponding quinones with periodic acid as the terminal oxidant in acetonitrile. 2-Methylnaphthalene was oxidized smoothly to 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (vitamin K3) by the catalytic system in high yield and regioselectivity.