Unusual O-alkylation of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone utilizing alkoxymethyl chlorides.

A new type of O-alkylation of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone with alkoxymethyl chlorides is described. The reaction course can be controlled by the choice of base and yields O-alkylated or O-alkoxymethylated products in high yield with high selectivity.