An improved process for the preparation of naphthoqui none

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of naphthoquinone.The invention relates to the preparation of naphthoquinone from naphthalene using electrochemically generated Ceric methane sulfonate in methanesulphonic acid.The drawbacks in the prior art processes are yield is less than 40% and disposal of spent regent.In the present process yield is high, selectivity for the oxidization of naphthalare is high. Process steps are:oxidizing naphthalene solution in the concentration range of 4-10% in presence of oxidizing agent ceric methanenulfonate 0.2-1.0 molar,in presence of organic solvent at temperature in the range of 50 90°C for a period of 1.0 to1.5 hour with vigorous stirring to obtain a solution, recovering the naphthoquinone from the above said solution by extraction with organic solvent by conventional methods.