Synthesis of Naphthalenediols by Aerobic Oxidation of Diisopropylnaphthalenes Catalyzed by N‐Hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI)/α,α′‐Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)

Abstract Naphthalenediols were successfully synthesized in a one‐pot reaction through the oxidation of diisopropylnaphthalenes with air catalyzed by N ‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) combined with α,α′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) followed by decomposition with sulfuric acid. Thus, the oxidation of 2,6‐diisopropylnaphthalene with air (20 atm) in the presence of AIBN (3 mol %) and NHPI (10 mol %) in CH 3 CN at 75 °C for 21 h followed by treatment with 0.3 M H 2 SO 4 gave 2,6‐naphthalenediol in 92% yield.