Synthesis of some 1,4-naphthoquinones and reactions relating to their use in the study of bacterial growth inhibition

Abstract

A series of 107 1,4-naphthoquinones and related products has been synthesized to study their mode of action in bacterial growth inhibition. The in vitro reactions of a number of these with aniline, n-butylamine, sodium methoxide, and an n-buthanethiol–triethylamine mixture have been examined. A series of epoxides of C-2 monosubstituted and C-2,C-3 disubstituted 1,4-naphthoquinones has been synthesized and their reactions with amines, thiols, and halogen acids have been studied. The ultraviolet absorption maxima of many of these quinones are also tabulated.