Convenient oxidation of alkylated phenols and methoxytoluenes to antifungal 1,4-benzoquinones with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/methyltrioxorhenium (CH3ReO3) catalytic system in neutral ionic liquid

1,4-Benzoquinones were selectively obtained in good yields starting with alkylated phenol and methoxytoluene derivatives by oxidation with a hydrogen peroxide/methyltrioxorhenium catalytic system in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, a neutral ionic liquid. The antifungal activity of some 1,4-benzoquinones was tested in vitro.