Electrolytic manufacture of alkyl-substituted hydroquinones

摘要

Alkylhydroquinones with from 1 to 3 alkyl radicals, which can contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, are produced by electrolytic oxidation of the corresponding alkylphenols which are unsubstituted in the para-position to the hydroxyl group, followed by electrolytic reduction of the resulting alkylquinones, wherein the electrolysis is carried out in the presence of a non-oxidizing aqueous mineral acid and in the presence of a water-soluble ketone.