Selective Iron‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Phenols and Arenes with Hydrogen Peroxide: Synthesis of Vitamin E Intermediates and Vitamin K₃

Abstract

Pumping iron! Convenient iron-based catalyst systems for the selective oxidation of arenes and phenols with hydrogen peroxide to give 1,4-quinones have been developed. This selective oxidation reaction takes place under mild conditions (room temperature, alcoholic solvents) with H2O2 as the terminal oxidant.