A process for the preparation of a quinone by oxidation of an aromatic hydrocarbon

摘要

PREPN. OF QUINONES BY OXIDN. OR AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS. B5-. By means of an aq. soln. of a ceric cpd. Pref. the hydrocarbon is dissolved in a non-oxidisable water-immisc. solvent. The cerous cpd. produced during the oxidation may be regenerated to the ceric cpd. by anodic oxidation in an electrolytic cell. The process produces a high yield of quinones and the work-up of the product is relatively simple, e.g. the org. layer is simply separated from the aq. layer and any solvent present is evaporated off. Suitable cerium solns. may be prepared having concs. of 0.01-0.15 molar ceric sulphate in 4N sulphuric acid. Reaction temps. are generally 40-80 degrees C.