Synthesis of Naphthalenediols by Aerobic Oxidation of Diisopropylnaphthalenes Catalyzed by N‐Hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI)/α,α′‐Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)

Naphthalenediols were successfully synthesized in a one‐pot reaction through the oxidation of diisopropylnaphthalenes with air catalyzed by N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) combined with α,α′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) followed by decomposition with sulfuric acid. Thus, the oxidation of 2,6‐diisopropylnaphthalene with air (20 atm) in the presence of AIBN (3 mol %) and NHPI (10 mol %) in CH3CN at 75 °C for 21 h followed by treatment with 0.3 M H2SO4 gave 2,6‐naphthalenediol in 92% yield.