The oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol

The products formed in the oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol with oxygen and sodium hydroxide at about 100° are 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, trimethylacetic acid, an acidic compound C₁₄H₂₂O₃, and probably 2,6-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone (which was actually isolated in the similar oxidation of the above-named benzaldehyde), in addition to compounds previously reported. Some of the properties of C₁₄H₂₂O₃ are given, and the oxidation of it to 2,3-di-tert-butylsuccinic anhydride is described, but assignment of structure is reserved pending the completion of more experimental work.