Quinone and its derivatives have manifold applications in pharmaceutical
industries. In this chapter, we look over the current practices of quinones and their
derivatives in several fields. Recent studies have found that quinone-enhanced
humification in food waste composting is a strategy for hazard mitigation and nitrogen
retention. Quinone derivatives such as diazanthraquinone dimers have been
demonstrated as high-capacity organic cathode materials for rechargeable lithium
batteries. Their preparation and advantage over conventional batteries have been
explained. Quinone-chlorophyll conjugation synthesized by the Diels-alder approach as
conformers, called atropisomers, is a recent invention. Currently, in the field of
pharmacological practices, quinone and its class of molecules have demonstrated a
wide range of therapeutic properties, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and
antibiotic.
Keywords: Anticancer agents, Benzoquinone anthraquinone, Diel’s alder reaction, Lithium-ion batteries, Naphthoquinone, Pictet Spengler annulation, Quinone.
