Substituted 2, 5-dimethoxy-and 2, 5-diphenoxy-1, 4-benzoquinones react with o- aminophenols to give an equilibrium mixture of 2-phenylamino-5-methoxy (phenoxy)-1, 4- benzoquinones and semiketals. The equilibrium depends on the substitution of the components and the solvent. The semiketals are transformed to 3-hydroxy-2-phenoxazones in acid solution.