Hooker reaction

In the Hooker reaction (1936) an alkyl chain in a certain naphthoquinone (phenomenon first observed in the compound lapachol) is reduced by one methylene unit as carbon dioxide in each potassium permanganate oxidation.^[1][2]

Mechanistically oxidation causes ring-cleavage at the alkene group, extrusion of carbon dioxide in decarboxylation with subsequent ring-closure.

References

1. On the Oxidation of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone Derivatives with Alkaline Potassium Permanganate Samuel C. Hooker J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1936; 58(7); 1174–79. doi:10.1021/ja01298a030
2. On the Oxidation of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone Derivatives with Alkaline Potassium Permanganate. Part II. Compounds with Unsaturated Side Chains Samuel C. Hooker and Al Steyermark J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1936; 58(7); pp 1179–81; doi:10.1021/ja01298a031