When orthodihydric phenol solutions in hydrocarbons or dioxane are subjected to oxidation, marked increase in electric conductivity takes place. Various aspects of this observation were studied experimentally, such as: the effect of the time of oxidation; effect of dilution; decay with time of the conductivity; d‐c polarization; role of quinone concentration; effect of temperature of oxidation. The experimental results are tentatively explained by a generation during oxidation of intermediate ionic stages of relatively high stability. These oxidative ions, both positive and negative, might be semiquinones having completed electronic shells. Ions of this type appear to be representative of ions formed during oxidation of dielectric liquids.