Excited state intramolecular redox reaction of 2-(hydroxymethyl)anthraquinone in aqueous solution.
The title compound undergoes a novel excited state intramolecular redox reaction in which the 'distal' side chain benzylic alcohol is oxidized to the aldehyde and the carbonyl moieties of anthraquinone reduced, with evidence suggesting that the primary photochemical process is a deprotonation of the benzylic C-H proton (by water) mediated by the solvent.
Department of Chemistry, Box 3065, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Matthew
M
Lukeman
Musheng
M
Xu
Peter
P
Wan