Attempts to prepare 2, 6-bis (h ydrox ymet h yl)-1, 4-benzoquinone (IV) by oxidation of 2, 6- bis (hydroxymethyl)-4-methoxyphenol (V) l1 were unsuccessful. Instead of the expected quinone IV, 2, 6-bis (formyl)-4-methoxyphenol (VI) was isolated. It was identified by its nmr spectrum, melting point, and derivative. This result is especially interesting because alcoholic groups are usually not oxidized under conditions where p-alkoxyphenols and ...
