A highly efficient and green protocol for the synthesis of 3,3′-(arylmethylene)-bis(2-hydroxynaphthoquinone) derivatives catalyzed by a dicationic molten salt

Abstract

Abstract A highly efficient and green protocol for the synthesis of 3,3′-(arylmethylene)-bis(2-hydroxynaphthoquinone) {3,3′-(arylmethylene)-bis(2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione)} derivatives has been developed. The reaction of 2-hydroxynaphthoquinone (2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione) (2 eq.) and arylaldehydes (1 eq.) in the presence of the dicationic molten salt N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediaminium bis-hydrogensulfate ([TMEDAH2][HSO4]2) under solvent-free conditions afforded the mentioned compounds in high yields and relatively short reaction times.