Benzoquinone is a commonly used oxidation reagent or dehydrogenation reagent, because it is easily reduced to hydroquinone by other compounds, thus showing oxidation activity.

Moreover, its own oxidation potential determines that 1, 4- benzoquinone can selectively oxidize primary allyl alcohol in the presence of various alcohol compounds, such as cinnamyl alcohol to cinnamaldehyde in the presence of secondary alcohol and benzyl alcohol. In addition, the oxidation reaction of primary alcohol can also be realized by using 1, 4- benzoquinone as dehydrogenation reagent and hydrated zirconia as catalyst.

Extended data

Phenol is an important organic chemical raw material. It can be used to manufacture phenolic resin, caprolactam, bisphenol A, salicylic acid, picric acid, pentachlorophenol, 2,4-D, adipic acid, phenolphthalein n- acetoethoxyaniline and other chemical products and intermediates, and can be used for chemical raw materials, alkyl phenols, synthetic fibers, plastics, synthetic rubber, medicines, pesticides, spices, dyes, coatings and oil refining.

In addition, phenol can also be used as solvent, experimental reagent and disinfectant. The aqueous solution of phenol can separate protein from DNA in plant cells, which is convenient for DNA staining.

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