Recent Advances in the Synthesis of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Lawsone) Derivatives

Abstract Lawsone, also known as 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, has been extensively studied and found to be a crucial precursor in the production of a diverse range of natural products such as molecular scaffolds, which are highly sought-after for biological research purposes. Due to its unique chemical composition, lawsone has been utilized for over a century as a starting material for the synthesis of numerous biologically active molecules and materials, and its intriguing properties have been showcased across a wide range of scientific and technological applications. Additionally, the various characteristics of lawsone have been widely used in organic synthesis processes. Recent advances in the synthesis of different scaffolds starting from lawsone, and their applications, are discussed in detail in the current review covering the period 2017 to 2023. 1 Introduction 2 Synthetic Developments on 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 3 Conclusions