Oxidative coupling of 2-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone and arenes in acetic acid gives methoxyaryl-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones. The reaction is effectively catalyzed by a Pd(OAc)2/heteropoly acid (H9PMo6V6O40 ) redox system with dioxygen as the final oxidant.
oxidative coupling; arenes; quinones; catalysis; palladium/heteropoly acid