Oxidative decarboxylation of naproxen.

The decarboxylation of naproxen (1H) and its salt (1-) was achieved by means of chemical [Ce(IV) or S2O8(2-)] and electrochemical oxidation. The product patterns were compatible with mechanisms involving single-electron transfer from the pi-system or the carboxylate moiety. The results are discussed in connection with the involvement of electron-transfer processes in the reported phototoxicity of naproxen.