Chromium(VI) oxide-catalyzed oxidation of arenes with periodic acid

Abstract Chromium(VI) oxide was found to catalyze the oxidation of arenes such as naphthalenes and anthrathene to the corresponding quinones with periodic acid as the terminal oxidant in acetonitrile. 2-Methylnaphthalene was oxidized smoothly to 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (vitamin K 3 ) by the catalytic system in high yield and regioselectivity.