The oxygenation of 4-(N-arylmethyleneamino)-2, 6-di-t-butylphenols with Co (Salpr), a five coordinate Co (I1) Schiff base complex, in CH2C12 results in the regioselective hydroperoxylation at the imino carbon to give N-(1-aryl-1-hydroperoxymethyl)-3, 5-di-tbutyl- R-benzoquinone mnoimines, which give exclusively the corresponding amides and 2, 6-di-t- butyl-e-benzoquinone in an aerobic solution of KOH in 90% EtOH.
