3-Methoxyphenol → 2-Methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of potassium nitrosodisulfonate (0.75 g) and potassium monobasic phosphate (0.75 g) in water (37.5 ml) was added to m-methoxyphenol (109 mg, 0.9 mmol) in acetone (12.5 ml) and the resulting mixture was stirred vigorously for 10 minutes. Potassium nitrosodisulfonate (0.75 g) was added to the reaction mixture in two portions at 30 minute intervals and the stirring was continued for an additional two hours. After removal of acetone under reduced pressure, the resulting aqueous solution was extracted with dichloromethane (four 10 ml aliquots). The combined organic layers were washed with 0.01 N sodium hydroxide (10 ml) and then with water (10 ml) and then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dried solution was filtered and the solvents removed under reduced pressure to yield 146.1 mg of 2 -methoxy-p-benzoquinone.

Provenance & Evidence