Regioselective halogenation of biphenyls for preparation of valuable polyhydroxylated biphenyls and diquinones

Electron-rich biphenyls were selectively oxyfunctionalised throw a halogenation-methoxylation sequence. The obtained biphenyl methyl ethers were then oxidized to the corresponding quinines. This strategy transforms commercially available biphenyls to both natural and bioactive oxidized compounds.