The 1, 4-benzoquinone derivatives I, II and III (Chart 1) were synthesized. In the synthesis of I (m=0), a new reaction was found, in which 1, 4-benzoquinones reacted with 1-trimethylsilyl-4-substituted-2, 3-dioxopiperazine derivatives to yield 2-(4-substituted-2, 3-dioxo-1-piperazinyl) hydroquinones. In this reaction, the substituent effect was investigated and the reaction mechanism was discussed. Compound II of this series showed antitumor activity against L1210 and S180.
