Abstract
The oxidation of methyl substituted para- and ortho-hydroquinones and naphthohydroquinones or their corresponding quinones has been studied by e.s.r. spectroscopy. Improved spectral resolution has been obtained by a circulation technique for many primary and secondary semiquinones. Quinones having free quinonoid positions react with hydroxide ions resulting in the simultaneous formation of a semiquinone radical and a radical of a hydroxyquinone adduct which in turn serves as a precursor for the secondary hydroxylation products. Identical products are obtained from the corresponding hydroquinones via an autoxidation. All 11 para- and ortho-compounds studied yield secondary products with a 2-hydroxy-1,4-semiquinone structure.

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