Theophrastus_2 - 11-1-2010 at 16:11
Sorry for the noob question, but if one were to oxidise phenol with a strong excess of Jones reagent (chromic acid), would the products be a mixture
of 1,2 and 1,4 benzoquinones?
JohnWW - 11-1-2010 at 16:26
Aniline undergoes oxidation with Cr(VI) to give 1,4-benzoquinone, which is yellow (as is also anthraquinone); but it may take more severe oxidizing
conditions to oxidize phenol to that compound. There should not be any 1,2 benzoquinone produced. The usual route to 1,4-benzoquinone is by mild
oxidation of 1,4-hydroquinone (para HO-C6H4-OH), with even Fe(III) salts.