First Synthesis of 9,10‐Dimethoxy‐2‐methyl‐1,4‐anthraquinone: A Naturally Occurring Unusual Anthraquinone

Abstract The synthesis of 9,10‐dimethoxy‐2‐methyl‐1,4‐anthraquinone, an unusual quinone, was achieved in five steps from p ‐benzoquinone. A Kochi–Anderson radical methylation features as the key step in the synthesis. The chemistry of a cyclopropa‐1,4‐anthracenedione is also described. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)