Abstract: A new process was developed to oxidize 1-naphthylamine by H2O2 in acetic acid for preparing 1,4-naphthoquinone. The effects of the reaction temperature, the oxidation time, molar ratio of 1-naphthylamine to H2O2, the concentration of sulfuric acid and the concentration of H2O2 on the product yield were investigated. The optimal reaction conditions for preparing 1,4-naphthoquinone with yield higher than 52.2% are as followings:the molar ratio of 1-naphthylamine to H2O2 is 1∶10, the mass concentration of H2O2 is 5%, the mass concentration of sulfuric acid is 45%, reaction temperature is 80 ℃, and reaction time is 3 h. This method has the advantages such as simplicity, easy separation of the product and short reaction time.

Key words: Napylamine, Naphthoquinone, H2O2, oxidation