ANODIC-OXIDATION OF ACTIVE METHYLENE GROUPS IN THE PRESENCE OF EXCESSCARBOXYLIC-ACID

The anodic oxidation of anthrone, (9,(10H)-anthracenone), 9,10-dihydro anthracene and 1-tetralone in acetonitrile was studied under the prese nce of excess carboxylic acids. The oxidation of anthrone with acetic acid gave anthraquinone, 10-acetoxyanthrone and 10-methyl-10-acetoxyan throne. A similar reaction of anthrone with propionic acid yielded 10- propionyloxyanthrone. The electronic oxidation of 9,10-dihydroanthrace ne yielded anthraquinone, anthrone, and 9-acetoxyanthrone under the sa me conditions. Also, 1-tetralone reacted with acetic acid and propioni c acid at the 4 position of the carbonyl group, giving 4-acetoxy- and 4-propionyloxy-1-tetralone, respectively.