Salcomine‐catalyzed oxidations of some phenols: A new method for the preparation of a number ofpara‐benzoquinones

Bis(salicylidene)ethylenediiminocobalt(II) (salcomine)* is a homogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of phenols with molecular oxygen in solutions of chloroform or methanol at room temperature. A number of substituted phenols with a freepara‐position have been studied; in most cases the correspondingpara‐benzoquinone was the main reaction product. Compounds originating from coupling of aryloxy radicals were also detected or isolated. Some speculations on the mechanism of the reaction have been made.