PRODUCTION OF QUINONE COMPOUND

PURPOSE:To readily and safely obtain the titled compound useful for biological reaction with simple treatment in and after the reaction without side reaction, by oxidizing a hydroquinone compound in the presence of a specific copper based additive and water in an organic solvent solution. CONSTITUTION:A hydroquinone compound expressed by formula I (R is methyl, methoxyl or two R mutually cyclize to form -CH=CH-CH=CH-; R is H or methyl; R is formula II, provided that the dotted line is hydrogenated single or double bond; n is 0 or an integer 1-11) and contained in an organic solvent solution is oxidized with oxygen or a gas containing oxygen in the presence of copper or copper ions and ammonia or ammonium ions and water, preferably at ordinary temperature - room temperature to afford the aimed compound expressed by formula III. The amount of the copper or copper compound to be used is preferably 0.005-0.05atom based on 1mol hydroquinone compound and the amount of NH4 or NH3 is preferably about 0.5-500mol.