Process for the preparation of 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoquinone by oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol

摘要

Process for the preparation of 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoquinone or a mixture containing 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoquinone, which comprises the following step: (i) oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol, to give 2, 3,5-trimethylbenzoquinone, with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in a biphasic or polyphasic reaction medium, in the presence of a catalyst or a catalyst system containing at least one copper (II) halide, so that a mixture containing 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoquinone, characterized in that the reaction medium contains water and at least one secondary acyclic aliphatic alcohol having 6 or more, preferably 7 or more, carbon atoms.