Copper and Cobalt Co‐catalyzed Selective Electrooxidation of Phenol to <i>p</i>‐Benzoquinone Under Mild Conditions

Selective oxidation is still a challenge for targeted conversion of biomass derived substance to high-value added products. Herein we report an efficient electrochemical strategy transform phenol into p-benzoquinone, by tandem oxidations CuSO4 and CoSO4 catalysts in electrolyte. Co3+ generated at the anode from Co2+ diffuses solution reacts with form hydroquinone, which subsequently oxidized Cu2+ selectively p-benzoquinone. The active metal ions (Cu2+ Co3+) are continuously regenerated through electrooxidation p-benzoquinone accumulated electrolyte solution. Ultraviolet-visible spectra test results reveal that hydroquinone immediately, remains stable By optimizing catalyst concentrations reaction temperatures (0.2 M CuSO4, 0.005 50 °C), highest yield was improved 47 %. developed copper-cobalt co-catalyzed system provides promising approach prepare benzoquinone compounds under mild conditions.