Direct electrochemical synthesis of quinones from simple aromatics and heteroaromatics.

We developed an electrochemical strategy for the synthesis of quinones through direct oxidation of widely accessible arenes and heteroarenes under mild conditions. A variety of quinones and hetero quinones were prepared with moderate to good yields, without the involvement of the pre-functionalized substrates. In addition, this atom economic method also exhibits wide functional group tolerance, including C(sp 2 )-I bond, ester, aldehyde, and OTf groups. This synthetic approach provides a straightforward and atom economic method for the transformation of C(sp 2 )-H bonds.