Oxidation of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (TMB), 2,3,6-trimethylphenol (TMP) and 2-methylnaphthalene to 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoquinone (TMBQ) and menadione (vitamin K3)

The synthesis of industrially important quinones as intermediates for vitamin syntheses is reviewed with special emphasis on recent developments in our own group.

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► Oxidation of arenes to quinones is industrial applied for vitamins K and E synthesis.
► Replacement of stochiometric by catalytic protocols is still a desired goal.
► Catalytic methods are summarized with special regard to the oxidant.
► Results on Ru- and Fe-systems for vitamin K3 and TMP synthesis are reported.
► Environmentally friendly hydrogen peroxide is applied.