Oxidative de-aromatization of para-alkyl phenols into para-peroxyquinols and para-quinols mediated by oxone as a source of singlet oxygen

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.200504605

(Chemical Equation Presented) Easy does it: Easily handled and environmentally safe oxone generates singlet oxygen which effects the simple and selective oxidative de-aromatization of para-alkyl phenols 1 into para-peroxyquinols 2 under very mild conditions with good to excellent yields. A one-pot access to para-quinols 3 from 1 is also possible after treatment of the crude reaction mixture with sodium thiosulfate.