Combination of Aryl Diselenides/Hydrogen Peroxide and Carbon‐Nanotube/Rhodium Nanohybrids for Naphthol Oxidation: An Efficient Route towards Trypanocidal Quinones

Abstract

This work reports a combination of aryl diselenides/hydrogen peroxide and carbon-nanotube (CNT)/rhodium nanohybrids (RhCNT) for naphthol oxidation towards the synthesis of 1,4-naphthoquinones and evaluation of their relevant trypanocidal activity. Under a combination of (PhSe)₂ /H₂ O₂ in the presence of O₂ in iPrOH/hexane, several benzenoid (A-ring)-substituted quinones were prepared in moderate to high yields. We also studied the contribution of RhCNT as co-catalyst in this process and, in some cases, yields were improved. This method provides an efficient and versatile alternative for preparing A-ring-modified naphthoquinonoid compounds with relevant biological profile.