Hyperacyloin condensation

Reaction of methyl or ethyl benzoate with the potassium-graphite intercalation compound CsK, in DME or THF under argon at 25 "C, followed by quenching with water and air oxidation, gives a 30% yield of phenanthraquinone (equation 3). The conversion of benzoin into phenanthraquinone by CkK at the layer edge of the intercalate, with loss of molecular hydrogen, had been described earlier. The overall process (equation 3) has been described by its discoverers as the hyperacyloin condensation. The conversion of methyl 4-alkylbenzoates into 3,6-dialkylphenanthraquinone has also been reported. ... 

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