An Efficient Oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-Butylphenol to 3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert- Butyl-4,4'-Diphenoquinone Catalyzed by Lewis Acid System in the Presence of Molecular Oxygen

An efficient and simple method for the preparation of 3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-diphenoquinone (TBDPQ) is reported using Lewis Acid as an effective catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen from 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (DBP). The present methodology offers several advantages, such as excellent yields, accessible and inexpensive catalysts, easy work-up and green conditions. The oxidation reaction was found to proceed in two steps and the oxidation kinetics for FeCl3 system was examined in detail.