The construction of novel perylenequinone core via efficient synthesis of versatile ortho-naphthoquinone as a key intermediate

The novel perylenequinone core, 1,12-diacetonitrile-3,10-perylenequinone, was successfully prepared from the dimerization of the key intermediate, 3-acetonitrile-1,2-naphthoquinone, which was synthesized by an efficient synthetic route in relatively short reaction steps (seven steps) and satisfactory overall yield. The perylenequinone core containing the acetonitrile functionality is notable in the sense that the versatile acetonitrile group could be utilized to prepare various compounds at a later synthetic stage for the development of new and novel perylenequinone derivatives as potential photodynamic agents.