PURPOSE: To readily obtain the subject compound which is a raw material for chemicals in one pot by oxidizing a readily available compound, such as 2,6-dimethyl-1,4,4a,5,8,8a,9a,10a-octahydroanthraquinone, as a starting raw material with oxygen and then nitric acid.
CONSTITUTION: A compound expressed by formula I (R1 to R8 are H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, etc., provided that the number ot H in R1 to R8 is ≤6) or formula II (R1 to R4 are same as described above, provided that the number of H in R1 to R4 is ≤2) as a starting raw material is oxidized with an oxygen- containing gas. In this case, an alkaline alcohol solution is normally used in an amount of 5-100 pts.wt. based on 100 pts.wt. starting raw material and the reaction is carried out at 60-100°C in an autoclave. Nitric acid in an amount of 1-20 pts.wt. and water in an amount of 5-40 pts.wt. are subsequently added to 100 pts.wt. reaction product to carry out the reaction at 100-250°C, preferably 130-200°C and afford the objective compound.
FUJIWARA HIDEETSU
ANDO NAOKI
MATSUMURA YOSHIO
