The chemistry of hydroxy-quinones. Part III. The reaction of 2,5-dihydroxy-benzoquinones with alkali

Abstract

The alkaline degradation of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone yields pyruvic acid and its condensation products as the sole detectable products. The 3-methyl derivative yields a mixture of the corresponding α-keto-acids together with αβ-dimethylsuccinic acid. 3,6-Dialkyl derivatives give only small amounts of α-keto-acid, the main product being the corresponding succinic acid. Results of a kinetic study are reported, and a mechanism for the reaction is proposed.