Benzoquinone Explained

Benzoquinone (C₆H₄O₂) is a quinone with a single benzene ring. There are 2 (out of 3 hypothetical) benzoquinones:

• 1,4-Benzoquinone, most commonly, right image (also para-benzoquinone, p-benzoquinone, para-quinone, or just quinone)
• 1,2-Benzoquinone, less commonly, left image (also ortho-benzoquinone, o-benzoquinone, ortho-quinone)

• 1,3-benzoquinone "does not exist, because its structure would be nonplanar and highly strained",^[1] though derivatives are known.

An alkylated p-benzoquinone has been found in the rhizomes of Iris kemaonensis.^[2]

See also

• Arene substitution pattern

Notes and References

1. 10.6100/IR535691 . Pulsed corona-induced degradation of organic materials in water.. 2000 . Hoeben . WFLM Wilfred. Technische Universiteit Eindhoven.
2. Singh . N. . Mahmood . U. . Kaul . V. K. . Gupta . A. P. . Jirovetz . L. . 2006 . A new alkylated benzoquinone from rhizomes of Iris kumaonensis . 16286313 . . 20 . 1 . 75–78 . 10.1080/14786410500045721. 38713868 .