An efficient improvement on total synthesis of shikonin

摘要

The problem associated with electrolytic deprotection, which is a concern in the total synthesis of shikonin, is solved by the addition of Cu~(2+) to the electrolysis system. The improvement has three advantages: first, it practically increased the yield from 40 to 85%; second, the isolation of shikonin became much easier. Third, the reaction time was significantly shortened.