Solid-phase oxidation of 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol and 3,6-Di-tert-butylpyrocatechol in the presence of alkali and alkaline earth metal halides under elastic deformation

Solid-phase oxidation of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol to give 2,2′,4,4′-tert-butyl-6,6′-bisphenol and of 3,6-di-tert-butylpyrocatechol to afford 3,6-di-tert-butyl-l,2-benzoquinone was performed in the presence of alkali and alkaline earth metals halides under conditions of modified extrusion. The formation of the corresponding metal 3,6-di-tert-butylsemiquinolates was registered by ESR method. The different behavior of chlorides, bromides, and iodides was observed and rationalized basing on the dissimilar complexing ability of halogens. The mechanism of activated oxidation was assumed.