The chemistry of hydroxy-quinones. Part V. The oxidation of 5-alkyl- and 2,5-dialkyl-3-hydroxybenzoquinones in the presence of alkali

Abstract

In dilute solution, the title compounds are hydroxylated in the 6-position by aqueous alkali, except when the 5-alkyl group is t-butyl. In the later stages, reaction of the monohydroxy-quinone with hydrogen peroxide, formed as a byproduct in the hydroxylation, occurs. At higher concentrations of the quinones, dimerisation reactions, producing biphenyldiquinones and/or a colourless dimer of the quinone, become increasingly important. Kinetic data are reported to indicate the effect of reaction conditions on the yields of the various products.