Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Double Annulation of Quinones: Step-Economical Access to Valuable Bioactive Compounds

Abstract

Double ruthenium(II)-catalyzed alkyne annulations of quinones were accomplished. Thus, a strategy is reported that provides step-economical access to valuable quinones with a wide range of applications. C-H/N-H activations for alkyne annulations of naphthoquinones provided challenging polycyclic quinoidal compounds by forming four new bonds in one step. The singular power of the thus-obtained compounds was reflected by their antileukemic activity.

Keywords: C−H activation; alkynes; annulation; quinones; ruthenium.