Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Vol.405, No.1-2, 133-140, 1996
Electrochemical Study of Catechol and 4-Methylcatechol in Methanol - Application to the Electroorganic Synthesis of 4,5-Dimethoxy-O-Benzoquinone and 4-Methoxy-5-Methyl-O-Benzoquinone
Electrochemical oxidation of catechol (I) and 4-methylcatechol (VII) in methanol has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that I and VII, on methoxylation reactions under ECECE and ECE mechanisms, convert to 4,5-dimethoxy (VI) and 4-methoxy-5-methyl(X)-o-benzoquinone respectively. The electrochemical synthesis of VI and X has been successfully performed in experimental conditions and their yields were calculated as 95% and 85% respectively.