The sustainable copper-catalyzed direct formation of highly functionalized p-quinols in water

The straightforward copper-catalyzed formation of p-quinols in water under air has been accomplished employing arylboronic acids. Various substituted p-benzoquinol derivatives of biological importance were obtained in good yield. Furthermore, the synthesis of target p-quinols under physiological conditions in serum and carbonate buffer is demonstrated. The essential features of this method are the high functional group tolerance and scalable one-pot preparation of p-quinols from corresponding arylboronic acid. Very mild reaction conditions, an absence of the heavy toxic metals, simple procedure as well as high chemoselectivity makes the established protocol desirable for academia and pharmaceutical industry laboratories.