Applications
p-Benzoquinone is used as a dienophile in Diels-Alder cycloadditions to prepare naphthoquinones and 1,4-phenanthrenediones. It acts as a dehydrogenation reagent and an oxidizer in synthetic organic chemistry. In the Thiele-Winter reaction, it is involved in the preparation of triacetate of hydroxyquinol by reacting with acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid. It is also used in the synthesis of bromadol and to suppress double- bond migration during olefin metathesis reactions. It is used as a precursor to hydroquinone which finds application in photography and as a reducing agent and an antioxidant in rubber production.

Solubility
Soluble in water, ethanol, ether, methanol, benzene, acetone and ethyl acetate.

Notes
Light sensitive. Store in cool place. Incompatible and reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents.