The course of the oxidation of substituted phenols with Co[bis(salicylaldehyde)ethylenediimine]pyridinate-dioxygen complex is found to be dependent on the nature of the solvents used. The various oxidation products of 2,6-dimethylphenol, 2,6-di-t-butylphenol, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol and hydroquinone in chloroform and methanol solvents have been isolated and characterized. Plausible intermediates leading to these reaction products are discussed.
