Phenol and Naphthol Oxidation to Quinones with Hydrogen Peroxide Using Vanadium-Substituted Keggin Heteropoly Acid as Catalyst

Phenols and naphthols were oxidized to the corresponding quinones using 60% p/V hydrogen peroxide and a substituted vanadium Keggin heteropolyacid (H4PMo11VO40.12H2O, HPA) as catalyst. The reactions were carried out at room temperature using acetone as solvent. This procedure was a mild and effective alternative for the phenol oxidation to quinones in good yields.