Progress towards metal-free radical alkylations of quinones under mild conditions

A new method for the radical alkylation of quinones is reported. Lewis basic nitrogen additives increase the efficacy of quinone alkylations from carboxylic acids using catalytic AgNO3 and Selectfluor as a mild oxidant. Electrochemical data suggests that certain Lewis basic additives are capable of directly reducing Selectfluor through a single-electron transfer, presumably via a charge-transfer complex. This process yields intermediates capable of promoting oxidative decarboxylation of alkyl carboxylic acids without an added metal initiator. Using this strategy, we have demonstrated progress towards a metal-free C-H quinone alkylation reaction that proceeds at room temperature under mild conditions. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.