What is "naphthoquinone"

Naphthoquinone \Naph`tho*qui"none\, n. [Naphthalene + quinone.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline substance, C10H6O2, analogous to quinone, obtained by oxidizing naphthalene with chromic acid.

n. (context organic compound English) Either of two isomers of polycyclic aromatic ketones derived from naphthalene.

n. a fat-soluble vitamin that helps in the clotting of blood [syn: vitamin K, antihemorrhagic factor]

Naphthoquinone is a class of organic compounds derived from naphthalene. Three isomers are normally discussed:

• 1,2-Naphthoquinone
• 1,4-Naphthoquinone, of which the Vitamin K group compounds are derivatives
• 2,6-Naphthoquinone (amphi-naphthoquinone)

Naphthoquinones are also a class of natural phenolic compounds formed on a C6-C4 skeleton.