Regioselective organocadmium alkylations of substituted quinones.

A series of substituted quinones was alkylated with diethylcadmium. Regiochemistry of addition shifted from quinol formation to conjugate addition as a function of the steric and electronic effects of the substituents.

Quinone Alkylation Using Organocadmium Reagents: A General Synthesis of Quinols.

Reactions of p-benzoquinone with organocadmium reagents yield quinols, the result of quinone carbonyl monoalkylation. The reactions proceed in good yield and are devoid of bisaddition and hydroquinone byproducts. Quinone alkylations using this method show general applicability to p-benzoquinone as well as extended quinone systems using primary alkyl, secondary alkyl, and aryl reagents.