A short and efficient synthesis of balsaminone A, a dinaphthofuran-1,4-dione, is described. The eight-step synthesis features two alternate pathways including a base-induced coupling reaction of 4-methoxy-1-naphthol and 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, as well as a light-mediated cyclization of 1,1'-binaphthoquinone to afford the dinaphthofurandione core. Subsequent ortho formylation yielded a known
Allylation of a variety of quinones with allyl(trifluoro)silanes takes place with high regioselectivity in the presence of FeCl3·6H2O, giving allylquinones in good yields. This method was used to synthesize biologically active isoprenoid quinones such as plastoquinone-1 and vitamin K1.