2,3,4,5-Tetramethoxytoluene was brominated to prepare 6-bromo-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxytoluene whose Grignard reagent was condensed with (E)-4-cholro-2-methyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-2-butene in the presence of cuprous iodide to obtain the intermediate 6-(E-3'-methyl-4'-phenylsulfonyl-2'-butenyl)-2,3,4,5- tetramethoxytoluene, from which coenzyme Q₁₀ was finally achieved via condensation with solanesyl bromide, desulfonylation and oxidation with an overall yield of 31.3% based on 2,3,4,5-tetramethoxytoluene.

Key words: solanesol, ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate, coenzyme Q₁₀, 2,3,4,5-tetramethoxytoluene