New and highly efficient synthesis of 3-substituted 1-hydroxybenz[g]isoquinoline-5,10-diones

A new and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 3-substituted 1-hydroxybenz[g]isoquinoline-5,10-diones by reaction of 2-methoxycarbonyl-1,4-naphthoquinone with different pyridinium salts under Kröhnke conditions is disclosed. This one-step reaction was found to be dependent on the substitution pattern of the aromatic nucleus in the pyridinium salts.