Quinones in Phenol Redox Reactions

Phenols can be oxidized to quinones when an oxidizing agent is present. Quinones can also be reduced back to phenols with mild reducing agents. This reversible redox change is an important part of phenol chemistry.

The hydroxyl group on a phenol donates electrons and makes the aromatic ring more ...

Phenols, like 1° and 2° alcohols, undergo oxidation, even though they do not contain α hydrogens. The electron-donating –OH group promotes easy oxidation of phenols to quinones.

1,2- and 1,4-benzenediols oxidize to o- and p-quinones, respectively. However, the quinones can be readily reduced to benzenediols using mild re...