Cross-Coupling Reactions with 2-Amino-/Acetylamino-Substituted 3-Iodo-1,4-naphthoquinones: Convenient Synthesis of Novel Alkenyl- and Alkynylnaphthoquinones and Derivatives

Functionalized 1,4-naphthoquinones have been employed as versatile synthons in organic synthesis, in addition to presenting a large array of biological activities. Herein, the applications of 2-amino-/ acetylamino-substituted 3-iodo-1,4-naphthoquinones in cross-coupling reactions are described to successfully afford sixteen novel 3-styryl-1,4-naphthoquinones (amino-stilbene-quinone hybrids) and four 3-alkynyl-1,4-naphthoquinone in overall good yields. Interestingly, the alkynylated derivatives could be obtained from ligand- and Pd-free Cu (I) -mediated cross-coupling reactions, after extensive investigations to exclude Pd as a co-catalyst. Lastly, the desilanized terminal alkyne was subjected to click chemistry reactions to give two novel triazole-1,4-naphthoquinone hybrids.