Rapid, efficient and one pot synthesis of anthraquinone derivatives catalyzed by Lewis acid/methanesulfonic acid under heterogeneous conditions

A new reagent combination for the direct preparation of anthraquinone derivatives from the reaction of various benzene derivatives with phthalic anhydride in the presence of Lewis acid/methanesulfonic acid (LAMA) is reported. In this reaction, the products were obtained in high yields and short reaction times under heterogeneous conditions. The effect of aromatic ring substituents on the outcome of the reaction has been studied. Benzenes that contain electron withdrawing substituents have the lowest reactivity in this reaction. The advantages of this method include: one pot reaction, simplicity, good efficiency, easy reaction work-up and availability of the starting materials. The structures of products were assigned by physical data and spectroscopic methods.