Table 1.

Optimization of reaction conditions for the synthesis of dye 1.

Entry	Oxidant	Base	Yield, %a
1	p-chloranil	Et3N	29
2	DDQ	Et3N	7
3	Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6	Et3N	0
4	Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6	DBU	8
5	p-chloranil	DBU	24b
6	p-chloranil	K2CO3	0
7	p-chloranil	NaOH	0

^aIsolated yield, after column chromatography; ^byields varied from 8 to 24%.