Convenient oxidation of alkylated phenols and methoxytoluenes to antifungal 1,4-benzoquinones with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/methyltrioxorhenium (CH3ReO3) catalytic system in neutral ionic liquid

Alkylated phenol and methoxytoluene derivatives were catalytically and selectively oxidized to the corresponding 1,4-benzoquinones in good conversions and yields. Reactions were performed with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/methyltrioxorhenium (CH3ReO3) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [bmim]BF4, aneutral ionic liquid. Compounds were tested in vitro for their antifungal activity against the growth of several widespread soil fungi. Some of them were proved to be potent inhibitors of Fusarium sp. than ketoconazole, a commercially available and expensive antifungal agent. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.