Catalytic Oxidation of Hydroquinones and Naphthalenediols to 1,4-Quinones with H2O2 in the Presence of Chromium(VI) Oxide-Bistributyltin Oxide and an Application to Vitamin K1 Synthesis

Abstract
The oxidation of hydroquinones and naphthalenediols to 1,4-quinones was carried out in the presence of a chromium(VI) compound formed from chromium(VI) oxide and bistributyltin oxide with 30% aqueous H2O2 in benzene-isopropyl ether at 50 °C. The catalyst was fixed on charcoal and used for the oxidation of dihydrovitamin K1 to vitamin K1 in ethyl alcohol.