[Synthesis of xyloidone and lapachone analogs]

Several xiloidone analogues were prepared, in a one step reaction, by the alkylation of lawsone with aldehydes obtained from natural essential oil sources. By Pd/C hydrogenation of these xyloidone derivatives, alpha-lapachone analogues were obtained in high yield. beta-lapachone isomers were prepared from the alpha-derivatives by treatment with sulphuric acid.