Quinones constitute a class of compounds with important biological and industrial applications.
The quinonoid system occurs widely in nature. We are interested in the total synthesis of physiologically active quinones and in the exploitation of quinones as intermediates in the synthesis of more complex molecules with theoretical or biological significance. Emphasis is on the discovery of new reactions, and the application of rational mechanistic precedents to problems in quinone chemistry. The spectral properties and chelating possibilities of such compounds are areas of current interest. The incorporation of such species in various types of polymers may provide materials with useful properties.